It’s not just about the situation in the Middle East, which is causing oil prices to rise.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that there are five reasons why Russia may feel stronger in the upcoming negotiations.
As reported by RBC-Ukraine, Zelensky made this statement during an address to participants of the European Council meeting.
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He noted that in recent days Ukraine has received signals from the United States that negotiations may resume soon.
“But in what mood will the Russian side come to the negotiations this time? It depends on all of us to ensure that the Russians do not come to these negotiations with the feeling that their position has significantly strengthened. And not only because of the situation around Iran, which is causing a rise in global oil prices,” the president’s statement said.
He pointed out that the aggressor country sees the active use of air defense missiles in the Middle East and the Gulf region, which may lead them to think that Kyiv will also face a shortage of these missiles.
“Second: the 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia is at a standstill. It could continue to pressure Russia, forcing it to move towards reality. Third: the U.S. has eased some sanctions against Russia, which brings significant funds into Putin’s military budget (Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, – ed.),” Zelensky noted.
Additionally, he highlighted the delay in the ‘crucial financial security guarantee’ for Ukraine from the EU in the form of a €90 billion loan. As a fifth point, he mentioned that Kyiv does not know for sure whether this support will be unlocked.
The peace process regarding Ukraine
Recall that Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC that he has a “very bad feeling” about the new round of peace negotiations with Russia. The concern is related to the fact that the U.S. has shifted its focus from Ukraine to the war in Iran.
At the same time, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Istanbul is ready to host a new round of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.
Moreover, Politico reported that the Trump administration will continue negotiations with Russia in an attempt to achieve peace in Ukraine, as this process and its ultimate outcome have a longer-term goal, namely, to weaken the alliance between Russia and China.
