A former US diplomat has warned that the war in Iran may be handing Vladimir Putin exactly what he needs by boosting oil prices, diverting Western attention and pausing political pressure over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to NATO and ex-special representative for Ukraine negotiations, told TVP World’s On the Record that the Iran crisis eases pressure on the Kremlin rather than tightening it.
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He argued that the surge in oil prices alone will bring Russia badly needed financial relief. Moscow’s budget relies on fossil fuel income and rising global prices are likely to give it short-term economic breathing room, at least.
“The main beneficiary of this war in Iran right now is Putin,” Volker said, arguing that more expensive crude strengthens Russia’s finances just as the West should be squeezing them harder. He also warned that the conflict has shifted US and allied attention away from Ukraine and back toward the Middle East, especially in air defense.
Still, Volker said Ukraine may yet draw one important advantage from the crisis: its ability to display and share its valuable combat-tested drone know-how. Ukraine has sent drone expert teams to Gulf countries and US interest in low-cost Ukrainian interceptors is reportedly growing.
