Zelenskyy forecasts grim consequences of war in Iran
Putin seeks protracted Middle East war to cover $100 billion deficit, Zelenskyy says.
Follow us on Google
Volodymyr Zelenskyy / © Associated Press
Rising tensions around Iran allow Russia to manipulate global energy markets and drain Western resources, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an interview broadcast on the «United News» telethon.
The Kremlin’s economic calculations
According to Zelenskyy, the Russian economy faces a $100 billion deficit that cannot be resolved by a short-term conflict. However, a prolonged war in Iran allows the Kremlin to count on the lifting of sanctions and extra profits due to a global energy shortage.
«The situation in Iran simply hasn’t given the Russians what they „found“ yet: helping Iran, responding more forcefully, targeting energy more precisely to create energy constraints,» the President explained.
He added that Vladimir Putin is interested in continuing the war in the Middle East, as he has currently only covered about 10% of the budget hole.
«Putin definitely has major problems. A $100 billion deficit cannot be covered by this short war in the Middle East. If the war is prolonged, he is interested in this. Then he will earn more. So far, he has not covered that massive deficit,» Zelenskyy said.
The president concluded that the conflict in Iran benefits Russia by exhausting U.S. resources and European energy supplies. This destabilization exerts serious pressure on world leaders, particularly China, and triggers new waves of aggression far beyond the Middle East.
«The war in Iran will certainly lead to broader aggression, not only in the Middle East,» he concluded.