The President of Ukraine stated in an interview with ZDF that Germany provides more assistance to his country than the U.S. He also pointed out the significant shortage of weapons such as Patriot missile systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Due to the ongoing war between the U.S. and Israel against Iran, Washington has "no time for Ukraine." This remark was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the German television channel ZDF, published on Tuesday, April 14, as reported by DW.
"They (the negotiators for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine from the American side - Jared Kushner and Steve Whitcoff. - Ed.) are constantly in contact with Iran, and they have no time for Ukraine," Zelensky lamented in a conversation with host Maybrit Illner.
Zelensky on the impact of the war in Iran on Ukraine
Further along in the interview, the Ukrainian leader explained why, in his view, the war in Iran has negative consequences for Kyiv: "If this war drags on, there will be less weaponry for Ukraine." He specifically pointed out the shortage of Patriot systems for air defense in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We currently have such a deficit (of Patriot missile systems. - Ed.), it couldn't be worse," Zelensky emphasized.
At the same time, he noted that Ukraine would be ready to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz; however, the U.S. has not yet approached Kyiv for assistance in this regard. On April 1, in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed the opinion that not only U.S. NATO allies but also Ukraine should participate in the operation to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "They weren’t automatically there, including Ukraine. Ukraine wasn’t our problem. It was a test, and we helped them, and we would always help them. And they didn’t help us," the U.S. president was outraged at that time.
Zelensky: Kyiv receives more aid from Germany than from the U.S.
Among other things, Volodymyr Zelensky praised Germany and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for their active support of Kyiv in the ZDF interview. "The largest strategic partner (of Ukraine. - Ed.) in Europe is definitely Germany," the Ukrainian president noted, adding that Germany provides more assistance to his country than the U.S.
Earlier, Zelensky met with Merz in Berlin as part of the German-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations. During this event, the German Chancellor and the Ukrainian President concluded an agreement on strategic partnership and contracts for cooperation in a number of areas.
According to Merz, further comprehensive measures to support Ukraine were also agreed upon, including assistance in the area of air defense, long-range weapons, drones, and artillery ammunition. Additionally, a data exchange will be organized for the development of new weapon systems, the head of the German government reported.
Zelensky on Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO
In the ZDF interview, Zelensky once again pointed out Ukraine's desire to join the European Union. "It is important for Ukraine to be a member of the EU. This should also be the EU's desire," he believes. "Our army and our technologies will only strengthen the EU." At the same time, he assessed the likelihood of Ukraine joining NATO as lower, partly because, in Zelensky's opinion, the U.S. would oppose it.
Commenting on Merz's demand to ensure that men of conscription age remain in Ukraine and do not leave, particularly for Germany, the Ukrainian leader noted: "I cannot prohibit people from moving freely." At the same time, Zelensky acknowledged that "I hear what Friedrich is saying," and understands that the mass migration of Ukrainian men to Germany puts a significant strain on the country's budget.
