The Trump administration’s proclamation of success in Iran skewers reality. Underneath the political fluff lies the truth. Russia is the biggest culprit and winner in the Iran War poised to wreck the global economy.
Many Americans were disappointed after the Trump administration rewarded Russia with oil sanctions relief, despite Russia providing intelligence to help Iran strike Americans.
This was just the beginning. Last week the US Treasury removed banking sanctions from Belarus, a vasal state of Russia. Washington then lifted sanctions on two Russian Nationals connected to Russia’s military complex.
Rewarding Russia after murdering untold thousands of Ukrainians and helping Iran kill American soldiers is a travesty.
So far, 200 American servicemen have been killed or wounded in the Iran War, including 13 dead. Most casualties are from “one way drone” strikes, according to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Historically, Iran lacked the capability to accurately strike targets. In recent years Russia provided expertise and launched satellites for Iran for more accurate targeting. Russia’s assistance to Iran includes expertise gained from drone incursions of Ukraine’s airspace that now helps Iran hit American facilities.
A comprehensive Russia-Iran partnership started when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia has provided Iran with a vast array of fighter aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems, Shahed drones, and other military equipment and expertise.
The Biden administration imposed no consequences for Russia’s comprehensive partnership with Iran. It’s now up to the Trump administration to hold Russia accountable. Lack of punishment against Russia cements this axis of evil, further endangering Americans.
Washington is obviously signaling their prophecy of Ukraine’s defeat. But US taxpayers already spent $188 billion in financial, humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine since February 2022. Americans invested $188 billion ($560 per American) so Ukraine could defeat Russian aggression. Rescuing Russia now, as they were starting to lose shows contempt for US taxpayers and America’s valuable ally, Ukraine.
Lifting sanctions now is reprehensible considering that Russia’s oil revenues funding their war machine fell by 25% last year. Energy revenues constitute roughly 40% of Russia’s budget. Removing sanctions undoes economic pressure by the West, thus ensuring a continuation of Russia’s genocide in Ukraine.
Why should Americans suffer while Russia receives compensation to kill more civilians in Ukraine?
Sanctions removal was supposedly implemented to bolster global oil supplies to alleviate high oil prices. However, this won’t affect global oil supplies according to American Coalition for Ukraine. It steers more money for Russia’s war, while Americans pay more at the gas pump.
Why should Americans suffer while Russia receives compensation to kill more civilians in Ukraine? According to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, removing sanctions is a potential $10 billion gift for Russia’s war as Washington prepares more sanctions removal.
This $10-billion windfall helps Russia’s chances of conquering Ukraine’s 42 million hectares of agricultural land. According to Olga Bondarenko with Ukraine National Bank, Ukraine is the fourth largest corn exporter and fifth largest wheat exporter. Russia is notorious for weaponizing energy markets. Given the opportunity, Russia will weaponize global grain markets to the detriment of US farmers.
A 2025 report by USDA’s Economic Research Service underscores concerns of a unified Ukraine-Russia. They are huge exporters of corn, wheat, sunflower and fertilizer. “Production and marketing of agricultural products in these two countries have the potential to impact global agricultural markets, including USA.”
A March 19 letter to President Trump endorsed by 54 Agriculture organizations reveals the farmer’s plight. Iran’s blockage of shipping lanes in the Hormuz straight is causing farmers to pay skyrocketing costs for fertilizer and fuel, greatly benefiting Russia. Coupled with lower grain prices, high inflation and global turmoil this could devastate America’s farm economy.
Russia has a huge incentive to interfere in the Iran War. This war diverts US weaponry, resources, financial aid and focus away from Ukraine to the Middle East. Global conflict causes soaring energy prices benefiting Russia’s oil-based economy. Kremlin officials are cheering as Russia’s arch-enemy, America is punished with soaring inflation, and an agricultural industry facing catastrophe.
It’s time the Trump administration stopped trying to make Russia great and serve the interests of Americans who pay taxes for policies aimed to protect Americans – not Russians.
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.