Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, engaged in bilateral meetings with counterparts from Iran, Turkey, and Lebanon ahead of the United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, focusing on discussions about the Middle East. These meetings, which took place in New York on Monday, addressed critical issues such as the situation in the Gaza Strip, Syria, and the heightened tensions in the Red Sea. During his meeting with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Lavrov emphasized the urgent need for a swift ceasefire in Gaza and outlined conditions for providing humanitarian assistance to civilians. The deteriorating situation in the Red Sea was also a point of general concern.
Meanwhile, the United States and Britain conducted additional strikes against Yemen’s Houthis on Monday, responding to their actions targeting Red Sea shipping, as reported by the Pentagon. Lavrov’s discussions with Lebanon’s foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib underscored the importance of collective regional efforts toward an immediate ceasefire. Notably, Israel’s recent intense bombardment in southern Gaza has drawn attention, prompting calls from Washington to safeguard innocent people in hospitals, medical staff, and patients.
As the United Nations Security Council is set to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Lavrov expressed his intention to propose collective efforts to address the Middle East crisis during the upcoming meeting. His meeting with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan covered energy issues and upcoming bilateral contacts. Looking ahead, the Kremlin mentioned in December that Russian President Vladimir Putin might visit Turkey in early 2024, indicating the ongoing diplomatic engagements between Russia and key regional players.
