Today, the United States has turned to diplomacy in the situation around Iran, and the world supports this. A ceasefire always creates more space for diplomacy and should precede a genuine end to the war. Ukraine has always approached this war – Russia’s war against Ukraine – from the same position. Of course, this is not easy to implement, and further efforts are still needed in the Middle East to stabilize the ceasefire so that it holds. But ultimately, the goal for everyone must be the same – greater security. Even the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East allowed markets to respond positively – oil prices have tumbled. At the same time, this sends the right signal regarding Russia – that, alongside our long-range sanctions, other instruments will also work. There are effectively no grounds left to ease sanctions pressure. Previously, easing sanctions was framed as a necessity to stabilize the global oil market. And if the Strait of Hormuz can be unblocked – and this is a global necessity – Russia’s oil revenues should continue to decline. Oil fuels Russia’s war and emboldens it. This is precisely why Russia invested so heavily in supporting the Iranian regime and sought to prolong that war.