GCC Supports Peaceful Efforts Aimed at Resolving Russian-Ukrainian Crisis

The GCC Secretary General meets with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The GCC Secretary General meets with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
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GCC Supports Peaceful Efforts Aimed at Resolving Russian-Ukrainian Crisis

The GCC Secretary General meets with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The GCC Secretary General meets with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Albudaiwi, said Thursday that the GCC countries support the peaceful efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

He also stressed the importance of resuming the grain export agreement from Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea to facilitate the export of grain, food, and all humanitarian supplies that would contribute to providing food security for affected countries.

This statement came during the Secretary General's meeting with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anatolii Petrenko, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General stressed that the GCC's position concerning the Russian-Ukrainian crisis is based on the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the preservation of the international order based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and non-use or threat of force.

The two officials discussed ways to strengthen GCC-Ukrainian relations in a way that contribute to serving common interests.



Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Wednesday its categorical rejection of Israel’s plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, slamming its ongoing violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements in Palestinian territories, stressing that Israeli authorities must abide by international resolutions.

It reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian cause in line with international resolutions. It renewed its backing of the 2002 Arab peace initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has approved a plan to intensify its operations in Gaza, which would include seizing the enclave, holding on to captured territories, forcibly displacing Palestinians to southern Gaza and taking control of aid distribution along with private security companies.

Israel is also calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to carry out the plan. Israel says the plan will be gradual and will not be implemented until after US President Donald Trump wraps up his visit to the region later this month.