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EU’s Antonio Costa Says Russia Is Only Beneficiary of Middle East War
European Council President António Costa warns that Russia is the sole country benefiting from the US Israeli war on Iran as global energy prices surge and attention shifts from Ukraine. He urges respect for international law and calls for de escalation.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-10
EU’s Antonio Costa Says Russia Is Only Beneficiary of Middle East War

European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday warned that Russia has emerged as the only clear winner from the ongoing US‑Israeli war on Iran, even as the conflict enters its 11th day and global energy markets reel from price shocks.

In a speech to European Union ambassadors in Brussels, Costa said the conflict has rapidly escalated across the region, with Iranian forces striking back at both US and Israeli targets, as well as facilities in the Gulf. He noted that the fighting has significantly slowed oil and gas flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, pushing fuel prices higher and threatening broad impacts on major economic sectors.

“So far, there is only one winner in this war — Russia,” Costa said, adding that Moscow benefits from rising energy prices that provide additional resources to finance its ongoing war against Ukraine. He also argued that Russia profits from the diversion of Western military attention from the Ukrainian front to the Middle East.

Costa stressed that the European Union must defend the international rules‑based order, which he said is being challenged, including by actions of the United States. “Freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs. Only international law upholds them,” he said, urging all parties in the Middle East to return to the negotiating table and avoid further escalation.

Background and Wider Impact

The US‑Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered the sharpest spike in oil prices since the turmoil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, raising concerns about global energy security and economic stability. Markets around the world have been disrupted by fears of prolonged supply interruptions through the Gulf.

Costa’s remarks came as the Kremlin reiterated that all parties want to continue US‑mediated peace talks on the Russia‑Ukraine war, though no date or venue has yet been agreed for the next round. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by the United States and others, have so far produced limited progress, particularly on core issues including control over the eastern Donetsk region.

US‑Russia Talks and Sanctions

On Monday, US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing both the Iran conflict and the Ukraine war. The Kremlin said while the lifting of US sanctions on Russian oil was not a major focus of the call, Washington’s actions were aimed at stabilizing energy markets — even as Trump hinted his administration might ease some sanctions without specifying which ones.

In related moves, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30‑day waiver on sanctions for Russian oil sales to India to help offset supply cuts resulting from the Middle East crisis.

Costa’s comments reflect growing European concerns about the geopolitical and economic fallout from the Middle East war, including its effects on transatlantic relations, energy markets, and the global focus on other conflicts.

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