Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Israeli strikes on Iran have driven global oil prices higher, bolstered Russian revenues and defense capabilities, and risked slowing Western aid for Ukraine, and he vowed to press the United States for new price caps and sanctions while assessing Tehran’s weapons production, the president said to journalists during a meeting on June 13.
“Let’s talk about what has already happened. The strikes have led to a sharp increase in oil prices. Which is negative for us, since there are currently no price caps. The Russians are being strengthened by higher revenues from oil exports. If there are price caps and the price is limited, then, probably, the risks decrease. Although someone will circumvent even that. In other words, you cannot completely escape the risks,”, he stated.
Concerns over Washington’s shifting aid priorities added to Kyiv’s worries. “Undoubtedly, a consequence of the escalation in the Middle East is an increase in aid to Israel. No one is questioning the relationship between America and Israel, but we would like assistance to Ukraine not to decrease because of this. And last time it was a factor that slowed down aid to Ukraine. And that is a fact. Because a decrease or slowdown—for us, to be honest, it’s the same thing. I think these are the three main factors,” the president said.
Earlier, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, urged the European Union to strengthen its 18th sanctions package by targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors, its shadow tanker fleet, and imposing secondary sanctions following an online meeting on June 10 with Northern and Baltic leaders’ advisors, EU Council and Commission presidents, and High Representative Kaja Kallas.
