Quick Read
- President Zelensky accused Iran of being an accomplice to Russia’s war.
- He cited Iran’s alleged role in downing a Ukrainian plane and supplying drones.
- Zelensky stated Iran broke promises regarding drone shipments to Russia.
KYIV, Ukraine (Azat TV) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply criticized Iran, labeling it an “accomplice” to Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His remarks, disseminated via Telegram, stem from a history of strained relations and Iran’s alleged support for Moscow’s war efforts, including the supply of drones used to attack Ukrainian civilians.
Iran’s Role in Ukraine Conflict
Zelensky detailed a series of grievances against Tehran, beginning with the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane. “We went through difficult relations with Iran… We didn’t do anything to them. They shot down our plane, killed our passengers, the crew of the plane. People died. They did not admit it. They did not let the experts in,” the Ukrainian president stated. This incident, he implied, marked an early point of severe contention between the two nations.
Drone Shipments and Broken Promises
The situation escalated, according to Zelensky, with Iran’s alleged provision of Shahed drones to Russia following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. “Then the full-scale war started. They handed over the Shahed drones to the Russians and were killing our civilians,” he explained. Zelensky recounted attempts to de-escalate the situation and halt Iranian support, stating, “I wanted to stop all that. I asked them. They promised that there would be no more than one batch of drones and they carried on lying and giving weapons.” This alleged pattern of deception and continued military aid to Russia led to his firm accusation.
Accusation of Complicity
Based on this history of events and alleged Iranian actions, Zelensky concluded, “That’s why I think of them as accomplices of Russia.” The statement positions Iran not merely as a supplier of military hardware but as an active participant in Russia’s broader aggression against Ukraine, underscoring the gravity with which Kyiv views Tehran’s alleged role.
Zelensky’s direct accusation of Iran as an “accomplice” signifies a hardening of Kyiv’s stance, moving beyond diplomatic complaints to a clear denunciation of Iran’s actions as directly enabling Russian war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.