The U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran could have serious repercussions for Ukraine’s position in its confrontation with Russia, according to the American publication The American Conservative (TAC).

In the magazine’s assessment, the escalation in the Middle East risks strengthening Moscow economically while weakening Kyiv’s military prospects. Analysts writing for TAC argue that higher oil revenues flowing into the Russian budget, combined with the heavy consumption of interceptor missiles and a pause in negotiations on the Ukrainian crisis, come at a particularly unfavorable moment for Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv could face shortages of defensive weapons.

The publication also notes that the halt in talks aimed at resolving the Ukrainian conflict could bring further battlefield losses for Kyiv. In their view, such a pause threatens additional casualties and territorial setbacks, while also undermining Ukraine’s defense capabilities and weakening its leverage in future negotiations.

TAC’s commentators suggest that recent developments may also raise new security concerns for the leadership in Kyiv. They point out that the United States effectively signaled acceptance of targeting national leaders when it eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which could call into question earlier assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that Vladimir Zelensky would not be targeted.

Meanwhile, U. S. President Donald Trump recently described Zelensky as an obstacle to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Trump indicated that the Ukrainian leader now holds even fewer negotiating advantages and urged him to move toward a deal as soon as possible.