Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the international community to help Iranians build on nationwide protests to force political change, describing the unrest as an "uprising." He urged Russia to reassess its close ties with Iran amid Moscow's use of Iranian "Shahed" drones in the war against Kyiv. Rights group HRANA has verified 572 deaths and more than 10,000 arrests since protests began on December 28. Zelenskiy warned leaders and organisations not to miss this moment for potential change.
Zelenskiy Urges World To Help Iranians Turn Mass Protests Into Lasting Change
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during the official opening of Cyprus taking over the EU presidency at the THOC theatre in Nicosia, Cyprus January 7, 2026. HADJIELIA KYRIAKOS /PIO/Handout via REUTERS
Jan 12 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday urged the international community to help Iranians build on widespread protests to force political change and free themselves from a regime he said has inflicted harm at home and abroad, including on Ukraine.
Speaking in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy described the nationwide demonstrations sweeping Iran as an "uprising" and warned that world leaders should not miss a moment when real change may be possible.
"Every normal person on Earth very much wants the people of Iran to finally be fortunate enough to free themselves from the regime that exists there and that has brought so much evil, including to Ukraine and to other countries," Zelenskiy said.
He also urged Russia to rethink its close relationship with Iran, pointing to Moscow's extensive use of Iranian-made "Shahed" drones in the nearly four-year war against Kyiv and saying those ties deserve reassessment in light of popular unrest in Iran.
Protests And Human Rights Toll
U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 572 people and more than 10,000 arrests in protests that began on December 28. The demonstrations, which started over economic grievances, have broadened into sustained demands for the fall of Iran's clerical establishment.
Regional Implications
Russia and Iran have developed closer ties since the Kremlin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership pact that deepened military cooperation and expanded collaboration across multiple areas, including arms and technology transfers.
Zelenskiy's appeal frames the unrest in Iran not only as a domestic struggle but as an international moment that could reshape alliances and the flow of military support in the region. He urged "every leader, every country, [and] international organisations" to engage now and help the Iranian people remove those responsible for the country's current direction.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Alistair Bell)
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