Zelenskyy Warns Oil Surge Fuels Russia’s War Effort/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that rising oil prices following Israel-Iran tensions are financially empowering Russia’s war effort. He criticized the lack of enforced oil price caps and warned U.S. aid may be shifting focus. Ukraine also struggles with delayed weapons deliveries and faltering support from European allies.
Oil Surge Threatens Ukraine: Quick Looks
- Oil prices spike 7%, helping Russia finance its war in Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy urges U.S. action, plans to raise the issue with President Trump.
- Weapons diverted: Interceptors intended for Ukraine sent to Israel instead.
- Barak-8 system undelivered, rerouted to U.S. for repairs.
- Coalition support stalled, waiting for clear U.S. leadership.
- Foreign troop presence could allow Ukraine to compromise with Russia.
- Body exchange continues: Russia returns 1,200 Ukrainian remains.
- Frontline fighting intensifies: Russia claims new village, drone attacks escalate.
Zelenskyy Warns Oil Surge Fuels Russia’s War Effort
Deep Look
Rising Oil Prices Aid Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that global oil price increases—spurred by the conflict between Israel and Iran—are directly aiding Russia’s military campaign. Speaking to journalists in Kyiv, Zelenskyy emphasized that the price jump undermines Ukraine’s battlefield position, as Russia profits more from oil exports while Ukraine receives no comparable financial uplift.
He criticized Western nations for failing to impose meaningful price caps on Russian oil exports, calling this oversight a strategic failure that strengthens the Kremlin’s war chest.
Zelenskyy to Discuss With Trump
Zelenskyy said he will raise the issue in an upcoming conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. He also expressed concern that the U.S. is now diverting vital military aid away from Ukraine and toward Israel, citing past disruptions that hindered Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones.
He referenced a shipment of 20,000 interceptor missiles redirected to Israel and lamented the non-delivery of a promised Barak-8 air defense system from Israel, which was sent to the U.S. for repairs and never rerouted to Ukraine.
Coalition Backing Faltering
Zelenskyy acknowledged that the “Coalition of the Willing”—a 31-nation group backing Ukraine—is losing momentum due to hesitation in Washington. Without a strong American backstop, European nations are reluctant to take independent action, he said.
The Ukrainian president also stated for the first time that the presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil could give Kyiv the political space to compromise on some territorial issues with Russia. Their presence, he argued, would offer security guarantees that could allow diplomatic flexibility.
Battlefield and Diplomatic Developments
Zelenskyy’s comments come as frontline fighting intensifies. Russia claims to have captured another village in the Donetsk region, and both countries continue aggressive drone campaigns. Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed 23 Russian drones and jammed 20 more overnight.
Meanwhile, the two countries continue to exchange prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers. Russia returned 1,200 Ukrainian bodies as part of the only substantive outcome from peace talks earlier this month in Istanbul.
Uncertain Ceasefire Prospects
Though there are ongoing discussions about a ceasefire, both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators continue to push memorandums that are irreconcilable. With military action continuing unabated, diplomatic progress appears distant, and the war shows no sign of abating—especially as external conflicts shift attention away from Ukraine.
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