Murrett Quoted in Associated Press Article on the Iran War Deflecting Attention From Ukraine

March 26, 2026

The Associated Press

Robert B. Murrett

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy & Law

Conflict

Government

International Affairs

Russia

Ukraine

The Associated Press

Robert B. Murrett

As the Ukraine-Russia war enters its fifth year, both sides continue to escalate attacks—including one of the largest Russian drone and missile strikes of the war—while U.S.-led peace talks remain stalled and Washington redirects attention and military resources toward the Iran conflict.

Ukraine faces mounting pressure from a Russian spring offensive, dwindling air-defense supplies and a blocked EU loan, as its battlefield situation in the east is described as “critical.”

Washington’s peace efforts are largely on hold while the White House is “totally distracted by Iran,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. The Kremlin has “never come off (its) maximalist demands” for a settlement, and it would take “overwhelming” Western military and financial support for Ukraine for Putin to back down.

Read more in the Associated Press article, “Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as an emboldened Russia starts spring offensive.”