Ukraine must unite and strengthen diplomatic front amid Middle East war – Poroshenko

Peace negotiations in the Middle East have reached a deadlock, and the situation is developing in Russia's favor, European Solidarity party leader Petro Poroshenko said at the political party's congress, according to the party's website.

"The events now unfolding in the Middle East are catastrophic for the world and very dangerous for Ukraine. And, unfortunately, beneficial for Putin," he said.

According to Poroshenko, the first benefit for Russia is diverting the attention of the U.S., NATO and Persian Gulf countries from pressure on Moscow. "Air defense missiles, long-range missiles, money have been diverted there today. And this is a benefit for Putin," the politician said.

He named a sharp rise in oil prices as the second threat and stressed that Ukraine must act on two fronts – internal unity and strengthening diplomacy.

"We need a coalition of national unity. We are ready for our political force to join the negotiating team," he said.

Poroshenko also emphasized the need for sanctions capable of "cutting off Russian exports" and reducing the Kremlin's ability to finance the war. "The main argument that Putin must hear is the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he added.

The European Solidarity leader said his faction voted for the defense minister for the first time to confirm its readiness to cooperate.