“The longer the war in the Middle East lasts, the greater the threat of us not receiving weapons,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 2, speaking to journalists in Kyiv, responding to a question from Kyiv Post.
Ukraine sees no immediate threat to US weapons deliveries under the PURL program despite escalating tensions linked to Iran, Zelensky remarked, while warning that Kyiv must prepare for potential disruptions by expanding its own defense production.
“This is a very important question. But so far, we have no signal that there could be a halt in weapons supplies through PURL.”
However, he said that Ukraine has long anticipated possible restriction in Western support.
“Back in 2023, we held a meeting, and I told our military that we must prepare for the possibility that US aid could stop or become limited and not free of charge,” Zelensky said. “We must diversify supplies and reduce the use of certain scarce weapons.”
According to the president, that strategic shift led Ukraine to prioritize drone production over artillery ammunition.
“We made a bet on drones instead of artillery shells… and it worked – now everyone on the front line sees the results,” Zelensky said.
The president also warned that broader geopolitical developments, including conflict in the Middle East, could affect Ukraine’s access to critical systems. “We cannot rely on always being given missiles for Patriot systems,” he said, pointing to a shortage of anti-ballistic missiles and the need to develop domestic or joint production capabilities.
“The longer the war in the Middle East lasts, the greater the threat of us not receiving weapons,” Zelensky added. “We understand this and are preparing our response.”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off weapons supplies for Ukraine to pressure European allies into backing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway has effectively been closed by Iran following US and Israeli strikes in late February, disrupting a route that typically carries about a fifth of global oil supplies.
Trump pushed NATO allies to deploy naval forces to secure the strait but faced resistance from several European capitals, which argued the operation was not feasible amid ongoing conflict and “not our war.”
In response, Trump warned he could halt shipments to PURL, a NATO-backed weapons procurement initiative for Ukraine funded by European countries.
Separately, commenting on reports about US discussions over unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, Zelensky said Ukraine had responded to requests from Washington to assist with regional security by sending expert groups.
“We reacted immediately, sending relevant groups of experts… and we are very grateful for that in every country,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s involvement had helped reshape perceptions of the country across the Gulf region “for many years ahead.”
Zelensky described the Strait of Hormuz as “the most influential lever on the oil market,” warning that its blockage creates “stress for the entire global system,” with some countries already facing fuel shortages and economic slowdowns.
While Ukraine has not been directly involved in efforts to unblock the strait, Zelensky said Kyiv remains open to contributing its expertise.
“Ukraine is ready to help with everything related to security,” he said, citing its experience in maintaining the Black Sea corridor.
“If we are involved, we will hear proposals and help,” Zelensky added. “As for our expertise and assistance, we are open.”