Post #28331

🎙Remarks by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the 15th Middle East Conference(Moscow, February 9, 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: The Middle East is the focal point of numerous global processes. Even if they originate elsewhere, many of these processes spill over into the Middle East in one way or another conflicting with the interests of other countries. Much to my regret, I don’t think things in this region will calm down anytime soon, despite the vast number of initiatives we are all aware of. Many of them emerged shortly after the Arab Spring, when in 2011 the West set out to ravage undesirable regimes in Libya and Syria. Thankfully, not much blood was shed in Tunisia. The regime there changed without significant casualties. Iraq is on that list, too, of course, but Iraq was before the Arab Spring. <...> Developments are underway in Yemen and Sudan. The ripple effect of the developments in Somalia can be felt in the Middle East, especially after Somaliland had been recognised recently by our Israeli colleagues, and the ensuing reaction from Mogadishu. All of this is unfolding against the backdrop of the principal trend which is driving the Palestinian issue into a hopeless impasse. This isn’t the first time this is happening, as the previous Trump administration promoted the Abraham Accords when the Saudi Arabian King’s 2002 Arab Peace Initiative was turned upside down. It proclaimed the creation of a Palestinian state and the recognition of Israel by the entire Arab world. Everyone hoped that this would actually come to pass. Moreover, after the Arab League endorsed this Saudi Arabian initiative, it was also endorsed at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit in Beirut. All Islamic countries unanimously backed the initiative to recognise Israel in the context of the creation of a viable Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions. The Abraham Accords dramatically changed the sequence of events. First, everyone was supposed to recognise Israel, and, they said, we’ll see what happens next. We are now observing what stood behind “we’ll see.” <...> We get convinced on a daily basis that more efforts are needed. Yes, a Peace Council has been established, as have bodies subordinate to it, including an executive body made up of Palestinian technocrats. Their real powers remain unknown. We hope that these issues will be clarified all the more so as our American colleagues have now suddenly announced a transition to the second phase of implementation of President Trump’s plan. This phase includes reconstruction work and humanitarian issues. The prospect of creating a Palestinian state remains the key issue. The arrangements can be made to provide temporary housing for the Palestinians. As you may be aware, nothing in this world is more permanent than a temporary solution. Everyone understands this. <...> I cannot help but say that we are closely following the Iran-related developments. We welcome the mediation efforts offered by the Sultanate of Oman. Yesterday, I spoke at length with my friend, the head of the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Badr Al Busaidi. We believe this issue must be settled peacefully. We understand that, as in the case of Palestine, some of the direct participants in the process may be tempted to use force and finish off their opponents, so to speak. However, this is the wrong approach. It will only lead to more problems and will in no way resolve the issue or ensure the security of any country. I think you are well aware of it. Therefore, we and our Chinese colleagues remain in constant contact with our Iranian friends. <...> Events are currently unfolding in Syria. In addition to maintaining unity and interethnic and interfaith harmony in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Kurdish issue has also become a pressing issue, affecting not only Syria but many other countries in the region as well. The events currently unfolding around the Syrian Kurds also deserve a separate discussion. This, as I earlier said, is an issue of regional dimension. Read in full