Russian, Saudi leaders stress need for diplomatic Middle East settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, discussing the situation in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf and Yemen, the Kremlin said.

Putin congratulated the Saudi crown prince on the country’s upcoming National Day, noting that the Soviet Union was the first foreign state to recognise the Saudi kingdom 100 years ago, according to the Kremlin.

The two leaders discussed the broader Middle East crisis and stressed that there was no alternative to political and diplomatic efforts to normalise the situation while taking into account the interests of all parties.

“An in-depth exchange of views was held on the situation in the Middle East, in particular in the Persian Gulf region,” the Russian side said. “The absence of an alternative to political and diplomatic efforts was emphasised in order to normalise the current crisis situation while taking due account of the interests of all parties.”

Putin and Mohammed bin Salman also highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and unhindered maritime traffic through key waterways in the region, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

“The importance of ensuring the safe and unhindered passage of vessels through international waterways in the region, including the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, was noted,” the Kremlin said.

The Russian president and Saudi crown prince also expressed concern over the deteriorating military and political situation in Yemen and called for an early cessation of hostilities.

“In connection with the deterioration of the military and political situation in Yemen, the need for an early cessation of hostilities and the creation of conditions for launching a constructive intra-Yemeni dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations was reaffirmed,” the Russian side said.

The two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres.

“Mutual satisfaction was expressed with the level of cooperation achieved in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres,” the statement said.

Putin and Mohammed bin Salman agreed to maintain contacts between Moscow and Riyadh at various levels.

The discussion comes as freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has become a major regional concern amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Recent reporting has also highlighted diplomatic efforts to restore shipping through Hormuz.

By Tamilla Hasanova