Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, on Sunday at the end of the ninth round of strategic talks between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, addressed the security situation in the Persian Gulf and regional crises. He believes that the only way to reduce tensions is through a fundamental resolution of conflicts, especially in the Strait of Hormuz.
Concerns about War in West Asia
Lavrov stated that West Asia is on the brink of an all-out war and that the U.S. approach, particularly towards Iran, will not contribute to resolving the situation. He criticized the policies of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, emphasizing that this approach is incorrect and cannot lead to regional stability.
Read more: Administrative activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia halted due to Houthi tensions
Appreciation for Bahrain's Position and Humanitarian Cooperation
The Russian Foreign Minister also thanked Bahrain for its balanced and neutral position regarding the Ukraine crisis. He stated that Gulf countries, especially in humanitarian areas such as prisoner exchanges and the return of the deceased, act calmly and professionally. Lavrov appreciated the efforts of these countries to mediate in various issues and emphasized the importance of this approach in reducing tensions.
Support for Political Solutions in Regional Conflicts
Furthermore, Lavrov referred to the support of Russia and Gulf countries for a political and diplomatic solution to the conflicts between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni army. He stressed the need to create an inclusive architecture to include all Gulf countries and close neighbors, including Iraq and Jordan. He believes there are solid grounds for achieving a political solution, and the 2023 roadmap developed with the active participation of Saudi Arabia can help achieve this goal.
Next Strategic Dialogue Meeting
Lavrov also announced that the next strategic dialogue meeting between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council will be held in the Russian Federation. In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf and resolving disputes through diplomacy, reaffirming its commitment to political dialogue and comprehensive cooperation with Kuwait and other regional countries.
Read more: Egypt announced its readiness to support Saudi Arabia · Meeting of Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Sofian Shayeb in Baghdad about Palestine and developments in the Persian Gulf
