Russia calls Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure ‘counterproductive’
Moscow and Riyadh urge diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts as Saudi Arabia faces renewed missile and drone attacks from Yemen
MOSCOW (MNTV) — Russia has criticized Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure as “counterproductive,” warning that continued escalation could endanger civilians, damage vital facilities and disrupt global trade.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the remarks Tuesday at a joint news conference in Moscow with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Lavrov said regional disputes should not be resolved through military means and backed Saudi efforts to implement an agreed political road map.
He warned that attacks on infrastructure in the Arabian Peninsula could have consequences beyond the region because of its importance to international energy supplies and trade routes.
Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia remained committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further suffering in Yemen.
He accused the Houthis of prioritizing their own interests over those of Yemen and described the group’s latest escalation against Saudi Arabia as part of that approach.
The Houthis launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones toward southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, injuring at least 73 civilians and causing fires and temporary disruptions at energy facilities.
Yemeni government forces, meanwhile, reported advances against the group in several areas, including Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz and Al-Hudaydah.
The Saudi and Russian foreign ministers also discussed broader tensions in the Gulf.
Lavrov said implementation of the Islamabad memorandum between the United States and Iran had been delayed and urged the parties to seek compromises that would allow the agreement to move forward.
He said Russia regretted that Gulf countries had been drawn “against their will” into the military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Moscow and Riyadh agreed that regional disputes should be addressed through political and diplomatic means and in accordance with international law, he added.
The two countries also reiterated support for a political settlement to the Palestinian issue.
Lavrov said there had been no progress on US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan and argued that an agreement reached between Israel and Hamas last October on a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance had not been implemented.
Russia and Saudi Arabia also agreed to maintain coordination through OPEC+ to help balance global energy supply and demand.
Lavrov said bilateral trade grew nearly 40% last year and that both governments were seeking to maintain that momentum.
On Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister reiterated Moscow’s readiness for negotiations based on what it describes as addressing the “root causes” of the conflict.
He also praised Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts and thanked Riyadh for what he called its “responsible and balanced position” on the war.
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