Russia and Saudi Arabia discussed developments on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Gaza, Ukraine and global energy markets, at a joint press conference held after talks in Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure threatened civilians and facilities.
Lavrov said regional problems could not be resolved through military means and expressed support for Riyadh’s efforts to implement the agreed road map. He warned that, because of the Arabian Peninsula’s strategic location, the attacks could also disrupt global trade routes and the world economy.
Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia wound 73 civilians
The Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia’s southern regions on Tuesday with dozens of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. At least 73 civilians were wounded; fires broke out at energy facilities, and their operations were temporarily disrupted.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said they would continue diplomatic efforts to prevent Yemen and its people from suffering further. Faisal accused the Houthis of seeking to advance their own objectives without considering Yemen’s interests and argued that the latest escalation against Saudi Arabia was part of this approach.
Yemeni government forces said they had made advances against the Houthis on several fronts, including Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz and Al-Hudaydah.
Moscow and Riyadh renew calls for a political solution
Lavrov said he and Faisal had discussed the regional agenda, particularly the situation in the Gulf. The Russian minister said implementation of the Islamabad agreement between the United States and Iran had been delayed, adding that ongoing disputes should be resolved through reasonable compromises and that the agreement should be put into practice.
Lavrov said Russia regretted that the countries of the Arabian Peninsula had been drawn against their will into the military conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. He added that Moscow and Riyadh agreed that disputes should be resolved solely through political and diplomatic means.
Lavrov stressed that international law and previously reached agreements must be respected in the resolution process. Russia and Saudi Arabia also said that the Palestinian issue could not be resolved through the use of force and required a comprehensive solution based on international law.
Gaza, energy and Ukraine
Lavrov said no progress had been made on U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to resolve the situation in Gaza. He said the ceasefire and humanitarian aid agreement reached between Israel and Hamas last October had not been implemented.
Russia and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed plans to maintain close coordination under OPEC+ to balance global energy supply and demand. Lavrov said trade between the two countries had increased by approximately 40 percent last year and that the parties wanted to sustain this growth.
Lavrov highlighted the role of the joint intergovernmental commission in strengthening economic cooperation. On Ukraine, he said Russia was ready for negotiations addressing the root causes of the conflict.
The Russian minister accused the European Union of obstructing a long-term solution by continuing its support for Ukraine and pursuing Russia’s defeat. Lavrov said he welcomed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to find a reliable and long-term solution to the conflict in Ukraine and thanked Riyadh for its responsible and balanced position on the issue.
