Zelenskyy: Putin pocketed $10 billion in two weeks of Middle East war
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian President said Russia has earned about $10 billion in just two weeks from the conflict in the Middle East, which gives the Kremlin leader a greater incentive to continue the war.
Zelenskyy stressed that the situation around Iran is bringing more money to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, while the easing of sanctions imposed on Russia also helps him.
According to the president, Russia faced a deficit of more than $100 billion in 2026 alone due to US and EU sanctions, as well as Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure. However, the situation surrounding Iran and the easing of restrictions is now allowing Putin to generate new revenue.
"Now we see that they have earned about $10 billion in two weeks of war in the Middle East. This is really dangerous. It gives Putin more confidence that he can continue the war," Zelenskyy said.
Russia's revenues
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the sharp rise in oil prices are bringing the Russian budget an additional $150 million per day.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently revealed what he described as a kind of barter arrangement between Moscow and Tehran. He states that Russia supplies Iran with weapons and uses energy revenues to support the Iranian regime, posing a threat to security in the Middle East.
