Zelensky worried events in Gaza, U.S. presidential elections could affect support for Ukraine

MOSCOW. Dec 1 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is worried that Israel's military operation against Hamas could eclipse the conflict in Ukraine, as competing political programs and limited resources put the flow of Western aid to Kiev at risk.

"We already can see the consequences of the international community shifting [attention] because of the tragedy in the Middle East. Only the blind don't recognize this," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying in an interview with The Associated Press. "

Kiev understands "that we also need to fight for attention," he said.

The shifting of the focus could reduce economic and military support provided to Ukraine, he said.

"You see, attention equals help. No attention will mean no help. We fight for every bit of attention," Zelensky said. "Without attention, there may be weakness in [the U.S.] Congress," he said.

A recent AP public opinion poll in the U.S. showed that nearly half of Americans believe that the amount of financing spent on Ukraine is excessive. Increasingly more members and supporters of the Republican Party do not approve of the idea of providing Ukraine with more assistance, and there is no certainty as to whether Congress would grant the White House's request for allocating such assistance.

Asked to comment on these findings, Zelensky replied, "The choice of Americans is the choice of Americans."