March 19 - Russia renewed an appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Gulf, urging that the first step be an end to U.S. and Israeli military actions and proposing to employ its diplomatic leverage to help bring the fighting to a close.
In a statement posted on the foreign ministry's website, Moscow said it was seeking "the fastest possible cessation of hostilities, which resulted from the unprovoked aggression of the U.S. and Israel." The statement framed the halt to hostilities as a necessary opening move for broader negotiations.
"We call for the fastest possible cessation of hostilities, which resulted from the unprovoked aggression of the U.S. and Israel," the foreign ministry said. "Russia, alongside China, Turkey and other like-minded parties, is ready to help with a settlement to the conflict and the search to resolve differences by diplomatic-political means.
Let us stress that the first step on this path must be quick agreement by the United States and Israel to halt their military adventure."
The ministry went on to outline Moscow's preference for establishing collective security mechanisms in the Gulf, describing such efforts as aimed at "establishing a durable peace in the region and cooperation between all coastal countries."
The statement also addressed Russia's relationship with Iran, describing it as a "strategic partnership" while explicitly noting that the arrangement does not amount to a mutual defence treaty. Moscow flagged its intent to maintain constructive relations with Washington as it urged de-escalation and offered to serve in a mediating role.
By coupling a public appeal for a ceasefire with an offer to participate in diplomacy alongside China, Turkey and other parties described as like-minded, the foreign ministry presented Moscow as both an interlocutor and a proponent of regional security frameworks. The statement stresses that any forward movement must begin with a cessation of U.S. and Israeli military actions and frames Russia's involvement as focused on political and diplomatic means of conflict resolution.
Context limitations: The statement is the text published on the foreign ministry website; it sets out Russia's positions and offers without specifying steps beyond the initial call for halting U.S. and Israeli attacks.