Middle East nations stand united over Russia-Ukraine conflict

Riyadh: After the conflict broke out in Ukraine, the United States demanded that Middle East nations stand against Russia and increase their oil production. This demand was rejected by Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing Middle East nations. Later, the United States made desperate efforts to persuade the Middle East nations to take a position supporting them. However, after almost three months of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Middle East nations have not changed their stand even now. After a meeting between the Middle East nations and Russia, Saudi Arabia announced it.

The fifth strategic meeting of Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Russia and GCC member countries. The meeting focused on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, oil production, the Iranian nuclear program, and the ceasefire in Yemen. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented his country’s position on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attended the meeting through a virtual interface.

Moreover, Saudi’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan presented the stand of the GCC regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Earlier, the Middle East nations took a collective stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which they have maintained. The GCC hopes that this conflict will not lead to a catastrophic food crisis anywhere in the world. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal communicated the role of the GCC member states to the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine. Prince Faisal mentioned that Saudi Arabia expects a resolution to the conflict through political and diplomatic negotiations.

Following the meeting, the Russian Foreign Minister held separate meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the Middle East nations had assured Russia that their countries would not participate in the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and its European allies. The Russian Foreign Minister also praised the coordination of the OPEC plus, an organisation of fuel-producing countries.

While the meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and the Gulf states is carried out, the United States has indicated President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East. The US and Western media have reported that President Biden will visit Saudi Arabia later this month. International media are claiming that the US president will visit Saudi Arabia, with the principal demand that Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members should increase fuel production.