Saudi Arabia draws red line: Will defend itself and its interests

MOSCOW — Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has declared that his nation will defend itself and its interests, employing all necessary measures against Houthi aggression. Addressing a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following their meeting in Moscow, Prince Faisal asserted that the Houthis have unleashed a Pandora's box. He emphasized that diplomacy remains an open path, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to support any action benefiting Yemen and the region.

Prince Faisal criticized the Houthis for resorting to violence when faced with adversity, prioritizing their narrow self-interests over Yemen's interests. He highlighted that the legitimate Yemeni government has offered opportunities for responsible negotiations, while the Houthis continue to inflict suffering on the Yemeni people.

Lavrov countered that Houthi attacks on civilian targets within Saudi Arabia endanger lives and negatively impact the global economy, stating that these actions will prove counterproductive. He called on both Riyadh and Moscow to implement the Islamabad Memorandum between Iran and the United States, expressing Russia's support for Saudi Arabia's efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution in Yemen.

During their press conference, Prince Faisal and Lavrov discussed regional and international developments, as well as methods to de-escalate tensions and resolve crises. Prince Faisal stressed the significance of ongoing consultation and coordination with Russia on these matters, as well as strengthening dialogue to contribute to de-escalation and support efforts aimed at crisis resolution.

Earlier, Prince Faisal and Lavrov held official discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of Saudi-Russian cooperation in supporting energy market stability and expressed the Kingdom's desire to continue dialogue and strengthen partnerships across various fields.

Lavrov affirmed Russia's interest in resolving the situation in the Middle East and maintaining dialogue and coordination on issues of mutual concern, highlighting the two countries' commitment to strengthening their partnership and expanding areas of cooperation within OPEC+.