Growing concern is spreading across Europe and Kyiv as President Donald Trump sharply redirects U.S foreign policy away from Ukraine and toward the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly Iran.
Ukrainian officials and European diplomats now warn that Trump’s political and military focus has moved so far that peace talks, weapons supplies, and diplomatic support for Ukraine are at risk.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly expressed alarm, saying Ukraine is losing the U.S’ attention at a critical moment in its war with Russia.
Zelenskyy Worried Over Trump’s Focus Shift
In a recent interview, Zelenskyy said he has a very bad feeling about Ukraine’s future as U.S. priorities shift toward Iran and regional instability in the Middle East.
He confirmed that planned diplomatic meetings and trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have been suspended, primarily due to Washington’s shifting focus.
According to Zelensky, the reason for the delay in talks is clear.
“America’s focus is more on the Middle East than on Ukraine,” he said during an interview with i24 News.
The most recent round of U.S.-mediated talks took place in mid-February.
Another meeting scheduled for early March in Abu Dhabi was postponed shortly before the U.S launched joint military strikes on Iran with Israel, with no new date announced.
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According to the Financial Times, Trump has begun to lose interest in efforts to broker a political settlement between Ukraine and Russia.
Several European diplomats involved in the talks told the paper that the negotiation process has entered what they described as a “danger zone.”
Huge Blow to Ukraine
That shift has had immediate consequences on the ground, negatively affecting Ukraine.
With the U.S redirecting attention and resources to the Middle East, deliveries of American weapons to Ukraine have slowed, especially advanced air defence systems and interceptor missiles that Kyiv relies on to counter Russian attacks.
“Ukraine does not want to lose the Americans, even though they are undoubtedly more focused on the Middle East right now,” President Zelenskyy added during the interview.
The pause in deliveries comes as Russia continues missile and drone strikes across multiple regions, increasing pressure on Ukraine’s already strained defences.
Trump also returned to office for his second term as president, promising to end the war in Ukraine quickly and positioning himself as the main broker between Ukraine and Russia.
Also Read: Why Donald Trump is Losing the War at Home
However, weeks into his renewed presidency, the talks have stalled, and the Trump administration’s engagement has visibly declined as conflict with Iran dominates U.S. attention.
At the same time, Russia has gained breathing space and has opted to use the chaos in the Middle East to its advantage.
Rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East have boosted Russia’s revenues, while the U.S has signalled it will not pursue new sanctions on Russian oil in the short term, citing concerns over global energy markets.
Ukraine views continued U.S. involvement as essential not only for military support but also for maintaining pressure on Moscow and Western unity.
Without the U.S at the centre of talks, Ukraine fears the process could collapse entirely or tilt in Russia’s favour.
Trump’s Stand
President Donald Trump has shifted U.S. priorities away from Ukraine as he focuses on confrontation with Iran and pressure on allies to bear more security costs.
He has recently clashed openly with NATO, accusing European members of relying on U.S. protection while failing to meet defence spending targets, and warning Washington will no longer carry the burden alone.
Trump has slowed U.S. mediation on Ukraine, resisted expanding sanctions on Russia, and redirected military assets to the Middle East, signalling a reduced U.S. role in Europe’s security and a demand that allies take the lead.
