The President of the European Council: Russia is the "only winner" of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran
Antonio Costa stated that the global surge in energy prices, as well as the shift in people's attention away from the war in Ukraine, has benefited Russia.
European Council President Antonio Costa said that with the global surge in energy prices and the shifting focus away from Moscow's four-year conflict with Ukraine, Russia is the only country that has benefited from the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
This war has lasted 11 days, and as the Iranian military retaliates against American and Israeli targets and facilities in the Gulf region, the conflict has rapidly spread throughout the region. The war has also almost halted the transportation of oil and natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fuel prices and potentially causing far-reaching impacts on multiple industries.
"So far, this war has had only one winner - Russia," Costa said during a speech to EU ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday.
"With rising energy prices, it has gained new resources to fund its war in Ukraine. It has also benefited from the shift of military forces that could have been used to support Ukraine. Moreover, as the Middle East conflict becomes the focus, the attention on the front lines of Ukraine has decreased, and it has also benefited from that."
Costa emphasized that the EU must uphold the international order based on rules, which is currently being challenged by the United States; at the same time, all parties in the Middle East must return to the negotiating table.
"Freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs. Only international law can protect them," he said. "We must avoid further escalation of the situation. Such a path will threaten the Middle East, Europe, and even broader regions."
The attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran triggered the largest surge in oil prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Costa made these comments as the Kremlin stated that all parties hope to continue the Russia-Ukraine peace talks mediated by the U.S., but have not yet reached an agreement on the date and location of the next round of negotiations.
Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of talks in Turkey last year, and several more talks were held in Abu Dhabi and Geneva under U.S. mediation this year. However, there are still significant differences on key issues, especially regarding Russia's demand that Ukraine abandon control over the eastern Donetsk region.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first call of the year, discussing the Iran and Ukraine wars.
The Kremlin stated that Russia did not discuss in detail the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, but U.S. actions aim to stabilize global energy markets.
After the call, Putin stated that as the world's second-largest oil exporter and the country with the largest natural gas reserves, if European customers wish to resume long-term cooperation, Russia is willing to work with them again.
Before the Ukraine war, more than 40% of Europe's natural gas imports came from Russia. By 2025, the total share of pipeline and liquefied natural gas imported from Russia will account for only 13% of the EU's total natural gas imports.
Also on Monday, Trump said his administration would lift sanctions on some oil-producing countries to curb rising energy prices - but he did not reveal which countries they would be.
Washington continues to impose sanctions on the oil sectors of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Reuters cited multiple anonymous sources saying that Trump is considering easing sanctions on Russia as part of his plan to lower oil prices.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bensons announced last week that to help India deal with reduced Middle Eastern oil supplies, a 30-day exemption from sanctions on Russian oil sales to India would be granted.
Source: Al Jazeera
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859296876004364/
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