Istanbul (Turkey), 5 Apr. (LaPresse/AP) – Russia is reaping economic benefits from the war in the Middle East, thanks to the easing of US sanctions on Russian oil. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the Associated Press. ‘Russia is getting extra money from this, so yes, it is benefiting,’ Zelensky said. For Kyiv, a key objective in the conflict is to weaken Moscow’s economy and make the war costly, but the surge in oil prices, caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is undermining this strategy, increasing the Kremlin’s oil revenues and strengthening Moscow’s ability to sustain the war effort. The Kyiv leader also accused Moscow of “trying to drag out negotiations” whilst continuing with the invasion, while Ukraine remains in contact with US negotiators over a potential deal to end the war. Kyiv, Zelensky added, continues to insist on greater security guarantees.
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