EU's Costa: Freedom for Iranians cannot be achieved 'through bombs'

2026-03-10 - 11:13

European Council President Antonio Costa delivered a stark assessment of the Middle East conflict Tuesday, arguing that the path to freedom for Iranians lies not in bombardment but in adherence to international law. Speaking at the EU Ambassadors' Conference in Brussels, Costa expressed solidarity with the "long-suffering people of Iran" while firmly rejecting military solutions to achieve human rights objectives. International law, not bombs, protects rights "We believe that human rights and freedoms must be fully respected, but freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs. Only international law upholds them," Costa stated, offering a pointed critique of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. The European Council president called for restraint and warned against further escalation, emphasizing that protecting civilians and ensuring nuclear safety remain critical priorities amid the widening conflict. Russia emerges as primary beneficiary Costa delivered a sobering analysis of the conflict's geopolitical consequences, declaring "So far, there is only one winner in this war: Russia." He detailed how Moscow gains multiple advantages from the Middle East crisis: "It gains new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It profits from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise have been sent to support Ukraine, and it benefits from the reduced attention to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East takes center stage." The assessment underscores European anxiety that the Iran war is undermining Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. Economic ripple effects threaten global stability The EU official also highlighted the severe economic implications of the conflict, noting that disruptions such as the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz could have devastating effects on global markets. His remarks reflect growing European concern that the war's economic consequences, particularly energy price volatility, will compound existing challenges facing the continent. EU faces multipolar challenges Costa broadened his critique to address the changing global order, warning that "the emerging multipolar world requires multilateral solutions rather than spheres of influence where power politics replace international law." In unusually direct language, he characterized the current geopolitical landscape: "A reality in which Russia violates peace, China disrupts trade, and the United States challenges the international rules-based order." The European Council president acknowledged that the EU sometimes struggles to react quickly to crises but insisted the bloc must learn from past experience to respond more effectively to urgent situations.