Gulf States Strengthen Strategic Dialogue with Russia Despite US Concerns
The sixth round of dialogue in Moscow focuses on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, especially in the economic, investment, trade, and tourism fields
The sixth round of strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries discussed ways to support and enhance cooperation in various fields, including energy. Russia’s increasing influence in the Gulf region has raised concerns for the United States, which seeks to isolate Moscow internationally due to the war in Ukraine.
Similar to China, Russia has made significant inroads in a region considered sensitive and strategic for Western powers, particularly the United States. Russia has developed partnerships with Gulf capitals, which have raised escalating American concerns.
The dialogue, attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the foreign ministers of the six GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman), concluded with a statement from the Omani Foreign Ministry. The statement highlighted that “Oman, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chaired the joint ministerial meeting and the sixth strategic dialogue between the GCC foreign ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.”
The statement also mentioned that the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the GCC countries and the Russian Federation, as well as ways to support and enhance cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest, especially in the economic, investment, trade, and tourism fields.
According to the statement, views were exchanged on several regional and international issues of common interest, emphasizing the importance of commitment to international law in resolving conflicts, pursuing dialogue and peaceful means, and respecting the sovereignty and independence of states to promote good neighborly relations and peaceful coexistence, to consolidate regional and international security and peace.
Lavrov, in a press conference at the end of the round, emphasized the importance of cooperation between Russia and the GCC countries, noting the availability of opportunities that facilitate the development of this cooperation.
In this context, Lavrov expressed his country’s welcoming of the “rapprochement between the Gulf countries and Iran.”
He also indicated that Russia “supports a comprehensive political solution in Syria and the start of reconstruction.”
Furthermore, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries and develop their relations, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The agency stated that “Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the joint ministerial meeting between the GCC countries and Russia.”
It added that “during the meeting, they reviewed the historical friendship relations and strategic cooperation between the two countries and the friendly peoples, as well as means to enhance and develop them in all fields.”
The agency further stated that “the two ministers also discussed strengthening bilateral multilateral cooperation in many issues of common interest.”
According to the TASS news agency, a joint statement released on Monday indicated that the foreign ministers of Russia and the GCC countries agreed to work on developing energy supply chains at a time when partnership and coordination regarding oil production are being reinforced to maintain market stability.
The United States is closely watching the Gulf-Russian rapprochement and exerting pressure on Gulf capitals, including Riyadh, to reduce oil production within OPEC+. However, Saudi Arabia emphasizes that the decision to reduce production is purely an economic one.
Nevertheless, the extent of convergence between the two countries is evident, reaching the level of military cooperation, which Washington rejects, considering the region sensitive and geopolitically significant to its interests.
The first round of strategic dialogue between Russia and the GCC countries was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in 2017.
