EU Council President Declares Russia the Only Winner in US-Israel-Iran Conflict
President of the European Council, António Costa, has issued a stark warning that Russia appears to be the primary beneficiary of the escalating military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Speaking to European Union ambassadors in Brussels, Costa emphasized that the conflict, now in its eleventh day, is driving global oil and gas prices higher while shifting international focus away from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
Energy Price Surge and Military Diversion Benefit Moscow
"So far, there is only one winner in this war – Russia," Costa stated unequivocally. He explained that the surge in energy prices provides Moscow with additional financial resources to fund its military operations in Ukraine. Moreover, military capabilities that might have been deployed to support Kyiv are being redirected to the Middle East, further weakening Ukraine's defensive efforts.
The conflict has intensified across the region, with Iranian forces launching missile and drone attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets, as well as critical energy facilities in Gulf countries. These hostilities have disrupted energy flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, slowing shipments of oil and natural gas and driving fuel prices upward worldwide.
Costa Urges Negotiations to Prevent Further Escalation
Costa urged all parties involved in the Middle East crisis to return to the negotiating table, cautioning that continued escalation could destabilize not only the region but also Europe and the wider world. "Freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs. Only international law can uphold them," he asserted. "We must avoid further escalation, as such a path threatens the Middle East, Europe and the wider world."
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the sharpest jump in global oil prices since the market turmoil that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This price spike directly benefits Russia, which relies heavily on energy exports for revenue.
Background on Ukraine Peace Talks and Energy Dependencies
Costa's remarks coincided with the Kremlin confirming that all sides remain open to continuing U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, although no date or venue has been set for the next round of negotiations. Last year, Russia and Ukraine held several rounds of talks in Türkiye, with additional U.S.-mediated discussions taking place this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva. However, the two sides remain far apart on key issues, including Moscow's demand that Ukraine cede control of the entire eastern Donetsk region.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone call of the year, discussing both the war in Iran and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin noted that the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions on Russian oil had not been discussed in detail, but acknowledged that Washington's actions were aimed at stabilizing global energy markets.
Before the Ukraine war began, Europe depended heavily on Russian gas, with more than 40 percent of its supply coming from Russia. By 2025, that figure had dropped to about 13 percent as European countries sought alternative energy sources in response to the conflict.
U.S. Sanctions and Global Energy Market Adjustments
President Trump also indicated that his administration was considering easing some sanctions on oil-producing nations to stabilize global fuel prices, though he did not specify which countries could benefit. The United States currently maintains sanctions on the oil sectors of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. In a related move, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced a 30-day waiver allowing limited Russian oil sales to India to help offset disruptions in Middle East supply.
Costa's analysis underscores the complex geopolitical and economic ripple effects of the Middle East conflict, highlighting how regional wars can inadvertently empower other global actors like Russia, complicating efforts to resolve ongoing crises in Ukraine and beyond.
