KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the recent spike in global oil prices—triggered by escalating conflict between Israel and Iran—stands to significantly benefit Russia, bolstering its military capacity in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
In remarks delivered to the media in Kyiv, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia stands to profit from higher oil revenues, particularly in the absence of enforceable Western price caps on its energy exports.
“The rise in oil prices, following the strikes in the Middle East, is not in our favor,” Zelenskyy explained. “It allows Russia to increase its income and reinforce its military strength.”
Oil prices surged by up to 7% in the wake of reciprocal attacks between Israel and Iran, fueling fears that further unrest in the region could disrupt Middle Eastern oil supplies and inflate energy costs globally.
Concerns Over U.S. Military Aid
Zelenskyy expressed concern that the United States might redirect military support toward Israel due to the emerging conflict in the region. He noted that similar situations in the past have slowed down aid to Ukraine.
“We hope our support doesn’t diminish because of the crisis in the Middle East,” he said, citing a previous incident where 20,000 interceptor missiles initially promised to Ukraine were sent to Israel instead.
These missiles were intended to help Ukraine defend against frequent attacks by Iranian-made Shahed drones. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine faces up to 400 drone threats daily, making the diverted shipment a significant setback.
Additionally, an Israeli Barak-8 air defense system that was supposed to be delivered to Ukraine was reportedly sent to the U.S. for repairs but never made it to Ukrainian forces.
European Support Hinges on U.S. Commitment
Zelenskyy also addressed the flagging momentum of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 nations committed to aiding Ukraine. He said that European countries remain hesitant to act decisively without firm backing from the United States.
“Europe still hasn’t fully committed to supporting Ukraine independently if the U.S. steps back,” Zelenskyy noted.
He emphasized that a proposed foreign troop reassurance force—part of the coalition's initiative—remains a possibility, but only if the U.S. guarantees its involvement. Such a presence, Zelenskyy added, could serve as a security assurance and provide Kyiv with more flexibility in negotiations with Moscow.
“Foreign troops on our soil could give us the leverage to make compromises, acknowledging that we currently lack the strength to reclaim all territories within the 1991 borders,” he stated.
Push for Sanctions and Peace Talks
Zelenskyy underscored the critical need for tougher U.S. sanctions against Russia. Without them, he warned, Ukraine’s position becomes far more vulnerable, leaving Europe with the burden of filling the support gap.
Meanwhile, developments on the diplomatic front continue. As part of a recent agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul, Russia returned 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine confirmed the return, although it did not send any remains back to Russia on Saturday.
The two sides also exchanged ill and severely wounded prisoners of war, although specific figures were not released. Zelenskyy shared on social media that the repatriated Ukrainian personnel included members of the military, national guard, and border and transport services.
Trump and Putin Speak as Conflict Escalates
On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump for 50 minutes, according to Kremlin officials. The two reportedly discussed the Middle East crisis and the status of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin informed Trump about the ongoing exchange of prisoners and expressed readiness for continued dialogue with Ukrainian representatives. Trump, for his part, reportedly showed interest in a swift resolution to the conflict.
Fighting Continues Along Front Lines
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the conflict on the ground rages on. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed on Saturday that its forces had captured the village of Zelenyi Kut in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the claim.
Russia launched 58 drones and decoys at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force reported. Of these, 23 were intercepted and 20 were jammed. In the Kherson region, a 45-year-old man was killed in a drone attack.
Russia claimed it had downed 66 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Outlook: Ceasefire Still Unlikely
Although the Istanbul talks yielded some humanitarian progress, such as the exchange of prisoners and remains, a lasting ceasefire remains elusive. Negotiators from both sides exchanged proposals with incompatible conditions, highlighting the deep divide that continues to block any meaningful peace agreement.