Minutes
  |  March 10, 2026 | 16:58

Costa: Russia only winner in Middle East war

Russia is currently the only winner in the war in the Middle East, EU Council President António Costa said on Tuesday. However, according to him, freedom and human rights cannot be achieved with bombs. They can only be protected by international law.

‘Russia is gaining new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It is profiting from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise be deployed to support Ukraine. And it is profiting from the reduced attention paid to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East takes centre stage,’ he said.

Costa stressed the need for the EU to protect the rules-based international order, which he said is now being challenged by the United States, and for all parties in the Middle East to return to the negotiating table.

‘We must avoid further escalation. Such a path threatens the Middle East, Europe and other regions,’ he concluded.

(reuters, max)

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