💢 Russia and Saudi Arabia used their Moscow press conference to signal a much broader strategic rela

💢 Russia and Saudi Arabia used their Moscow press conference to signal a much broader strategic relationship, while laying out unusually direct positions on Yemen, the Gulf conflict and Ukraine:

🔻 Yemen: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan delivered the sharpest remarks of the presser, accusing the Houthis of repeatedly putting their “narrow interests” above those of Yemen and resorting to violence whenever under pressure.

🔻 Faisal said the latest escalation was another attempt by the Houthis to export their internal problems to Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognized government. By provoking Riyadh, the Yemeni government, the international community and ordinary Yemenis, he warned, the Houthis are “opening themselves up to what they cannot bear.”

🔻 Riyadh is not closing the door to diplomacy, Faisal stressed, but Saudi Arabia “will not hesitate” to defend itself, protect its interests and support Yemen’s security and stability, adding that the Kingdom will use every available means to fulfill its responsibilities.

🔻 Lavrov likewise called Houthi strikes on Saudi infrastructure, including civilian facilities, counterproductive and rejected attempts to settle the Yemen conflict militarily. Moscow continues to favor direct dialogue between influential Yemeni forces, potentially under UN auspices, using the Saudi-backed roadmap agreed with Yemen’s internationally recognized authorities and Ansar Allah as a basis.

🔻 Iran and Gulf security: Lavrov said Russia regrets that Arabian Peninsula states have been drawn into the US-Israeli military confrontation with Iran. Moscow and Riyadh favor a political settlement and implementation of the June 17 Islamabad memorandum between Washington and Tehran.

🔻 Russia and Saudi Arabia also discussed eventually convening a regional security forum bringing together all Gulf states, Iraq and Jordan, with possible participation by the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and even the five permanent UN Security Council members. Lavrov said Russian, Saudi/GCC, Chinese and Iranian security initiatives all move broadly in the same direction.

🔻 Ukraine: Lavrov thanked Saudi Arabia for what he called its “principled, responsible and balanced” position and its contribution to humanitarian efforts and a possible political settlement. Russia, he said, remains ready for negotiations based on addressing the conflict’s “root causes.”

🔻 Lavrov said the Trump administration has shown both the willingness and ability to recognize those root causes, making contacts with US envoys useful. He accused the EU, by contrast, of trying to prevent the discussion from shifting toward a long-term settlement and continuing to pursue Russia’s defeat.

🔻 Economic ties: Faisal said Russian-Saudi cooperation has become important for global energy-market stability and balancing the interests of producers and consumers. He highlighted 13 agreements and MoUs worth SAR 4.8 billion signed during the St. Petersburg forum in June, covering industry, technology, mining, logistics, infrastructure, the digital economy, agriculture and food security.

🔻 Lavrov said bilateral trade rose by almost 40% last year, while both countries intend to maintain close OPEC+ coordination. Saudi tourist arrivals in Russia rose about 35%, with Russian travel to Saudi Arabia growing at a similar pace following the visa-free agreement that entered into force in May.

🔻 Lavrov described the strategic partnership as extending into virtually every field, including investment, joint production, projects in third countries, tourism, culture and cooperation on UN reform aimed at stronger representation for the Global South.

🔻 Intervision: Faisal confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Russia are still discussing when the next Intervision music contest could be held in the Kingdom. Given current regional conditions, he acknowledged that staging it as planned may be difficult and said the date remains under discussion.

Subscribe @NewResistance