The Middle East conflict is overshadowing Kiev's demands for more assistance from its Western backers, UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia has said

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has been on a European "concert tour" begging for more money and weapons for years, but the Middle East is now taking up all the attention, Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, has said.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine on Monday, Nebenzia accused Kiev and its backers of staging a "cheap, shoddy show" in the UN halls as they fear that the Iran war is drawing attention away from Ukraine's conflict with Russia.

Zelensky, a comedian-turned-politician, "is perfectly aware that moving the Ukrainian file to the backburner of international politics due to the escalation in the Middle East can significantly reduce the profits reaped from his concert tour over European countries," Nebenzia said.

He added that Zelensky "thought that he would be able to endlessly and effortlessly pester for money from his Western sponsors," citing the alleged threat of a Russian attack against NATO.

The Ukrainian leader has been courting his Western backers, particularly in the EU, for weapons and financial assistance for years, while constantly complaining that the aid is not enough.

According to the Kiel Institute, Ukraine received 207 billion ($243 billion) from Europe and 115 billion ($135 billion) from the US since the escalation of the conflict in 2022. Media reports suggest, however, that the Iran war could slow the pace of deliveries.

Nebenzia noted that faced with this conundrum, Zelensky "did not lose his bearings," and started raving about Ukraine "singlehandedly unblock[ing] the Strait of Hormuz."

The envoy was referring to Zelensky's claims that Ukraine provided Gulf countries with drone expertise, and in return securing defense deals. US President Donald Trump, however, dismissed the offer of support from Kiev, saying "the last person we need help from is Zelensky... we know more about drones than anybody."

Zelensky's claims about Ukraine's decisive role in the Hormuz crisis are "nothing but a figment of the imagination of the thieving Kiev ringleader, and he is trying to sell his whimsical illusions to anyone willing to pay for them," Nebenzia said.

He also highlighted the dire situation for Ukraine at home. "Ordinary Ukrainians are refusing to fight for the blatantly corrupt country's leadership, they are dodging the draft, deserting," he said, adding that reluctant recruits are being maimed, stunned, and nearly beaten to death by recruitment officers.

"Is this the kind of 'security' Zelensky is looking to 'export' throughout the globe?" Nebenzia said.