Ukraine faces growing pressure because of the war in Iran as Russia readies a new offensive

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin Wall during the national celebration of "Defender of the Fatherland Day" in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 23, 2026. (Maxim Shipenkov/Pool Photo via AP, File) 2026-03-20T05:25:43Z With U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks on hold due to the war in the Middle Eas t, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to try to expand his military gains via new offensives against his southern neighbor that could put even more pressure on Kyiv. Windfall revenues from surging global oil prices are filling Moscow’s war coffers and U.S. air defense assets are being drained quickly by Iranian attacks across the Gulf, raising concerns that little will be left available for Ukraine in the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine’s European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv’s military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges. The refusal by NATO allies to commit naval assets to help restore tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has drawn an angry rebuke from President Donald Trump, highlighting another emerging fault line that is fraught with potential repercussions for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sought to hold Washington’s attention by offering its expertise in defending against Iranian Shahed drones, sending over 200 military experts to the Gulf. Trump, however, has shrugged off Zelenskyy’s offer of help, saying the U.S. doesn’t need Kyiv’s assistance. As new signs of a rift emerge in Western alliances, Putin and his generals are pondering plans for the spring and summer campaign across more than the 1,200-kilometer (about 750-mile) front line. A possible new push from Russia The Russian military appears to be readying for a renewed push to claim the part of the eastern Donetsk regi

原文链接: AP News