Zelenskyy: Russia’s defence of Iran highlights need for stronger sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has underscored the urgent need to ramp up international pressure on Russia following Moscow’s defence of the Iranian regime.

Speaking on Thursday, Zelenskyy highlighted Russia’s deployment of Iranian-made Shahed drones and North Korean munitions as evidence that Kyiv’s allies have yet to exert sufficient pressure on Moscow.

“In its efforts to preserve Iran’s nuclear program, Russia’s actions—both public and covert—leave no other explanation,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

He added that when an ally loses its ability to export war, it represents a strategic weakness that Russia seeks to exploit.

Zelenskyy further noted that Russia’s increasing reliance on weaponry from Tehran and Pyongyang signals that global solidarity and pressure remain inadequate.

Earlier this year, Moscow and Tehran formalized a strategic partnership.

Russia has condemned Israeli strikes against Iran and offered to mediate the escalating conflict. At the same time, a Russian deputy foreign minister urged Washington to avoid direct involvement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s double standards, pointing out Moscow’s defence of Iran’s nuclear ambitions while launching “ruthless” attacks on Ukraine.

“Russia can never be trusted,” Sybiha wrote on social media. “It is always part of the problem, never the solution.”

Zelenskyy accused Russia of rejecting diplomatic efforts and dismissing calls for an unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. He expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would impose tougher sanctions on Moscow and intensify diplomatic initiatives to end the war. However, Trump has so far resisted calls for harsher sanctions.

The Ukrainian president also expressed willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin but criticized Putin for exceeding constitutional term limits—an apparent rebuttal to Russian accusations that Zelenskyy delayed elections under martial law.

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