On March 19, Russia called for an immediate cessation of fighting in the Gulf, urging the United States and Israel to stop strikes and offering to help mediate. The foreign ministry said Moscow, alongside China and Turkey, is ready to assist in diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict. Russia also backed the idea of collective Gulf security and noted its strategic partnership with Iran does not constitute a mutual defence pact.
Russia Demands Immediate Halt To Gulf Hostilities, Urges U.S. and Israel To Stop Strikes
Smoke rises from a Lebanese village near the border with Israel, amid escalation between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from northern Israel, March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
March 19 — Russia renewed a demand for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gulf, calling first for a halt to strikes by the United States and Israel and offering to use its diplomatic leverage to help negotiate a settlement.
"We call for the fastest possible cessation of hostilities, which resulted from the unprovoked aggression of the U.S. and Israel," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website.
The ministry said Russia, together with China, Turkey and other like-minded parties, is prepared to assist in negotiations and to pursue political and diplomatic means to resolve the conflict. Moscow described a first step as a swift agreement by the United States and Israel to stop what it called a "military adventure."
What Russia Offers
Russia proposed using its diplomatic channels to help mediate de-escalation and promote a broader framework of collective security in the Gulf aimed at establishing durable peace and cooperation among all coastal states.
Relationship With Iran And Washington
The ministry reiterated that, while Russia maintains a "strategic partnership" with Iran, that relationship does not amount to a mutual defence treaty. At the same time, Moscow emphasized its interest in preserving constructive ties with Washington and repeated an offer to act as a mediator to reduce tensions.
Reporting by Reuters; editing by Alistair Bell.
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