Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

Russian soldiers carry ammunition for a self-propelled cannon to fire towards a Ukrainian position.

Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AP The Iran war has deflected global attention from Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbour Ukraine as Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II enters its fifth year and an emboldened Kremlin undertakes a spring offensive.

The past week showed that neither side was easing up.

Russia on Tuesday fired almost 1,000 drones and 34 missiles at Ukraine in one of the war’s biggest bombardments.

The following day Ukraine launched almost 400 drones in the largest reported overnight attack on Russian regions and Crimea.

Ukraine’s fate was still Europe’s top foreign policy issue, fuelled by fears that Moscow has wider ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has wound down talks with Russian and Ukrainian delegations as the Iran war grips its attention.

The administration has warned it could turn its back on the conflict if peace efforts come to nothing.

Only weeks ago, the Russian economy was starting to feel the pinch of sanctions.

But Russia is now raking in billions of dollars from a temporary US waiver on oil sanctions against Moscow.

The measure taken earlier this month aims to free up Russian oil cargo stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Middle East conflict.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Photo: Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US move was “not the right decision” because it would further enable Russia’s military campaign.

American Patriot air-defence missiles have been moved from Europe towards the Middle East as Washington redirects resources to its war on Iran.

Zelensky warned that Kyiv would “definitely” face shortages of Patriot systems because of the war against Iran.

The US produces 60 to 65 missiles per month, or about 700 to 800 missiles per year, Zelensky said. “And on the first day in the Middle East war, 803 missiles were used,” he said.

Aiming to secure some geopolitical leverage, Ukraine offered its battle-tested technology to help Gulf states fend off Iranian drones.

In return, Ukraine wants more of the high-end air-defence missiles that Gulf countries possess and which Kyiv needs to stop Russia’s missiles.

Zelensky also made Ukrainian drone interceptors available to the US.

Ukraine desperately needs money, too.

A promised €90 billion (US$104 billion) loan from the European Union to fund Ukraine’s armed forces and its war-shatte

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