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EU Council president António Costa says Russia sole winner of US Israel war on Iran
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António Costa said Russia alone benefits economically and strategically from the Israel‑Iran conflict. Costa said soaring energy prices give Russia additional resources to finance its war against Ukraine.
Costa: Russia wins
António Costa, president of the European Union Council, warned that Russia is “the only country benefiting” from the US‑Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliation, saying Moscow is the sole winner as energy prices spike and global attention shifts away from Ukraine. Costa made the assessment directly to EU diplomats, declaring “So far, there is only one winner in this war — Russia,” and framing the conflict as one that hands Moscow new resources to finance its war in Ukraine. UNITED24 Media echoed this view, stating that Costa’s assessment that Russia is the ultimate winner in the Middle East has already been proven correct.
“António Costa, president of the European Union Council, has said that Russia is the only country benefiting from the US-Isreali war on Iran, due to soaring energy prices and a shifting focus away from Ukraine.”
How Russia benefits
Costa outlined the mechanisms by which Moscow benefits: higher energy prices that generate revenue, diversion of military capabilities that would otherwise support Ukraine, and a diplomatic and media shift that reduces focus on the Ukrainian front. He said Russia “gains new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise” and “profits from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise have been sent to support Ukraine.” Brussels Signal and UNITED24 detailed how the upheaval in energy and shipping — including disruption around the Strait of Hormuz — has allowed Russia to exploit market turmoil.
EU calls for restraint
Costa used his remarks to press the European Union to defend the international rules‑based order and to prevent a wider escalation. He said the EU must “play a stronger role in defending the international rules-based order, which he said is currently under strain,” and called on all parties to return to negotiations and avoid further escalation. UNITED24 quoted Costa emphasising that “Freedom and human rights are not achieved through bombs” and warning that escalation would threaten the Middle East, Europe and other regions.
“Costa stressed that the European Union must play a stronger role in defending the international rules-based order, which he said is currently under strain.”
Market and policy fallout
The geopolitical fallout has prompted immediate market and policy responses: Brussels Signal reported that the upheaval ‘has upended the world’s energy and transport sectors,’ halting activity in the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States signalled a move to ease oil sanctions to calm prices.
Brussels Signal noted that “US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington will waive some sanctions on oil to boost supply and bring down prices,” and UNITED24 described Vladimir Putin’s outreach to re‑engage Europe with Russian energy as an effort to capitalize on the crisis.
Strategic wake‑up call
Costa framed his comments as a strategic wake‑up call: by warning that the Middle East war is providing fresh resources and breathing space for Moscow, he argued the European Union must shore up support for Ukraine and insist on diplomacy over escalation.
“‘We know the new reality: a reality in which Russia violates peace, China disrupts trade, and the United States challenges the international rules-based order,’ Costa said in a speech at an annual gathering of EU diplomats.”
Brussels Signal quoted Costa saying Europe now faces a reality in which Russia “violates peace” while other global actors disrupt trade and the rules‑based order; commonspace repeated his call for stronger EU action and avoidance of further escalation.