Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed their commitment to expanding strategic cooperation during the ninth Russia-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Manama, Bahrain on Sunday (18 Oct), co-chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The ministers discussed regional security, trade, investment and political cooperation, while reviewing developments across the Middle East, North Africa, Gaza, Yemen and Ukraine.
Key developments:
- Russia and the GCC backed political and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts under international law.
- Participants called for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Ministers supported humanitarian assistance and a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alongside renewed efforts towards a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
- The next Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue will be hosted in Russia in 2027.
A strengthened Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue reflects Moscow’s continued effort to deepen ties with Gulf states despite wider geopolitical tensions and sanctions. For the GCC, maintaining engagement with multiple global powers supports a broader strategy of strategic diversification, allowing member states to balance relations with Russia, the United States, China and other partners while protecting regional security, energy interests and diplomatic influence.
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