Democratic Senator Chris Coons said President Donald Trump‘s communication strategy during the war with Iran is creating uncertainty among U.S. allies while potentially benefiting Russia, criticizing the president for speaking more frequently with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Congress.

“President Trump gives answers out of both sides of his mouth in the same day, partly to influence oil prices, partly to keep our allies guessing,” Coons said in an interview with MS Now. “I also think right now, the clearest winner from this war in Iran is Russia. It’s stunning that President Trump is on the phone with Vladimir Putin and spending more time consulting with him than he is with Congress and the American people.”

Coons’ comments came after Trump and Putin held a roughly one-hour phone call Monday in which they discussed the war involving Iran, global energy markets and the conflict in Ukraine. Russian officials described the conversation as “frank” and “constructive,” and said the leaders exchanged views about the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on oil markets.

Trump later told reporters he had “a very good call with Putin” and said the Russian leader “wants to be helpful” in addressing the crisis. Trump also said he urged Putin to focus on ending the war in Ukraine.

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The escalation has triggered retaliatory strikes across the region and raised fears of wider conflict involving Iranian-backed groups.

The fighting has also disrupted global energy markets. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments — has sharply declined as tanker companies avoid the area due to security risks.

Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel during the early stages of the conflict before retreating after Trump suggested the war could be short-lived. Energy experts say the crisis illustrates the continued geopolitical importance of oil supplies even as countries invest heavily in renewable energy. Russia, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, could benefit from higher prices and tighter supply in global markets.

Originally published on Latin Times