EU plus

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.  In a speech on 10 March, Costa said that Russia “gains ‌new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It profits from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise have been sent to support Ukraine. And it benefits from reduced attention to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East takes centre stage.” 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. He also called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to return to negotiations and avoid further escalation. His comments come as global energy markets react to the conflict and as diplomatic efforts continue regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine in tandem. Kremlin officials have said all sides are interested in continuing United States-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, although no date or location has yet been set for the next round of negotiations.