I think this has something to do with how networking works.

When connected wireless to my car with a VPN active on my phone, my phone won’t connect to my cars WiFi network to initiate the android auto connection.

When connected by USB with VPN active on my phone it’s not issue, android auto connects and my VPN is active.

I remember seeing someone smarter explain this a lot better online somewhere then I can at the moment. But simply trying to connect wireless with a VPN active will not work.

The world would be a better place if the rain washed all the shit away.

There are AUX cables that have a transmit and recive switch. You can use this to transmit the output of your iPod through AUX to a built in bluetooth receiver in your car or other device.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Headphone-Connection/dp/B0D12MFCBG

Just make sure what you choose has the transmitter function as most cheaper ones only have the receiver function (for use in a car stereo for example).

Looks like Zelensky actually has all the cards