Starmer: Putin must not benefit from war in Iran

(Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin must not benefit from the war in Iran, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday during his visit to the United Kingdom.

Starmer said that Moscow should not reap the rewards of higher global oil prices and benefit from the easing of sanctions as a consequence of instability in the Middle East.

Zelensky, who also met with King Charles III earlier yesterday at Buckingham Palace, thanked the United Kingdom for its support to Ukraine during the "difficult winter" when Putin's forces targeted critical energy infrastructure.

The British Prime Minister welcomed the Ukrainian President at Downing Street 10, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also attended the meeting.

- I think it is very important that we make it clear that the focus must remain on Ukraine. Obviously, there is a conflict in Iran, in the Middle East, but we must not lose focus on what is happening in Ukraine and the need for our support - said Starmer.

He emphasized that Putin must not profit from the conflict in Iran, whether it is about oil prices or the lifting of sanctions.

The United States has temporarily eased some restrictions on Russian oil to reduce pressure on global supplies disrupted by attacks on Iran and Tehran's response to Gulf countries.