Kiev, Ukraine
A recent spike in global oil prices, triggered by Israel’s attack on Iran, is likely to bolster Russia’s military capabilities in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He made these comments during a press briefing in Kiev, which were initially restricted until the following afternoon.
Zelensky expressed concern that this rise in oil prices poses a significant risk to Ukraine’s military position. “The attack has caused a quick increase in oil prices, which negatively impacts us,” he noted. “The Russians are becoming more powerful as their oil revenues grow.”
In the past 48 hours, oil prices surged by nearly 7% following escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, raising fears of potential disruptions to oil exports from the Middle East.
Zelensky mentioned his intention to discuss this matter in upcoming talks with the U.S. President, stating, “I will make sure to raise this issue during our communications.”
He also voiced worries that U.S. military aid, which is crucial for Ukraine, could shift focus towards Israel in light of recent developments in the region. “We need support for Ukraine, and we don’t want to see a reduction in this aid,” he remarked. “Previously, this factor delayed our assistance.”
He indicated that U.S. support for Israel includes the diversion of a shipment of 20,000 interceptor missiles originally intended for Ukraine, which are meant to counter Iranian-made drones. “This was a setback for us,” he added, emphasizing the intensity of daily drone attacks Ukraine faces.
Zelensky pointed out that while Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the Barak 8 air defense system to Ukraine, it is currently in the U.S. for repairs and has not yet been delivered.
The president acknowledged the changing dynamics among an alliance of 31 nations meant to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. However, he expressed concerns about whether Europe firmly supports Ukraine if U.S. backing were withdrawn. “This situation shows that Europe hasn’t fully resolved its stance,” Zelensky said.
He maintained that the possibility of foreign troops providing security in Ukraine remains, stating, “If anything occurs, we can expect America to stand with us and Ukraine.”
Zelensky underscored the significance of foreign presence in Ukraine, suggesting it creates opportunities for potential territorial compromises. “Their presence allows for some flexibility. We have to acknowledge that reclaiming territory within our 1991 borders is a significant challenge,” he noted.
Nevertheless, there is an ongoing wait for a strong signal from the U.S., with Zelensky commenting, “It would be extremely challenging for us without robust sanctions against Russia.”
In other news, Russia has repatriated groups of fallen soldiers as part of an agreement made during peace talks with Ukraine, according to Russian state media. Ukrainian officials reported the return of approximately 1,200 bodies.
The first round of this exchange occurred on Monday, and it remains the only concrete outcome from discussions held in Istanbul recently.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated it had captured another village in the Donetsk region, while Ukrainian forces did not immediately respond to these claims.
In a recent night of hostilities, Russia reportedly launched 58 drones and decoys against Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force noted it downed 66 of these drones.
Ongoing debates about ceasefires continue, but military actions persist despite talks. During earlier discussions, both sides presented diverging terms that they viewed as unacceptable, leaving the pathway to negotiations unclear.
