Ukraine warns Iran of 'devastating consequences' amid missile transfers to Russia
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine has approached Iran amid concerns about a possible transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. Ukraine has warned Iran of "devastating consequences" for bilateral relations, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry expressed concern over reports in the media on the possible transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia.
"We once again urge the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain from supplying any weapons or military equipment to Russia, which, under the UN Charter and international law, is recognized as an aggressor state," the statement reads.
For over two years, Ukraine has suffered from Russian attacks, including those using Iranian-made drones. The Ukrainian foreign ministry emphasizes that deepening military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iran poses serious security risks not only to Ukraine but also to Europe, the Middle East, and the world.
"We call on the international community to increase pressure on Tehran and Moscow in order to protect international peace and security," the ministry stated.
Ukraine is urging Iran to completely cease supplying weapons to Russia and to prove the "sincerity of its political leadership’s claims of non-involvement in fueling Russia's war machine of death."
The ministry further warned Tehran that if the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia is confirmed, it would lead to "devastating consequences for Ukrainian-Iranian bilateral relations."
Iran-Russia cooperation
Iran is one of the few countries that actively supports and assists Russia's military. Tehran has been providing Russia with kamikaze drones and missiles. Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran had supplied Russia with a new batch of short-range ballistic missiles, coinciding with the intensification of Russian strikes on Ukraine.
According to analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this missile transfer is part of a broader strategy to deepen relations between Russia and Iran. In exchange for the missiles, Tehran is seeking to acquire Su-35 fighter jets from Moscow.
