Gulf states to maintain close ties with Russia despite European pressure

Gulf Cooperation Council member states will continue to maintain close relations with Russia despite expectations from the European Union that they would scale back contacts with Moscow, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi stated.

Al Budaiwi said Europe’s expectations that Gulf countries would align with its policy line on Russia are inappropriate, POLITICO reports.

Trade between the six GCC countries — Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates — and Russia has increased more than sevenfold since 2021.

He emphasised that relations with Moscow remain important for the region alongside cooperation with Beijing, Washington, and Brussels. “We are getting aligned with our own interests,” Al Budaiwi noted.

Speaking on sanctions, the Secretary-General stressed that Gulf states rely solely on the United Nations framework. “We view sanctions through the United Nations and the Security Council,” he added, effectively ruling out alignment with EU sanctions against Russia.

By Jeyhun Aghazada