Arab League delegation offers Russia-Ukraine mediation
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A delegation made up of the Arab League secretary-general and foreign ministers of several Arab countries offered mediation between Russia and Ukraine in an attempt to help solve the conflict and to prevent its repercussions from affecting the Arab region, a spokesperson for Iraq’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday as the war between the two conflicting states continues.
A delegation comprising of the Arab League secretary-general and the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, and Sudan met with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday to help reach a political settlement between Russia and Ukraine.
Lavrov and the delegation held “in-depth talks on efforts to cease fire and reach an agreement to resolve the crisis and restore peace and security,” state media quoted Ahmed al-Sahaf as saying.
The delegation also offered to “carry out mediation efforts” in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as they aim to “reach the cessation of military operations,” according to Sahaf.
The fight in Ukraine began in the early hours of February 24 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he referred to as a “military operation” in the country of about 40 million.
The meeting came in response to the Arab League’s Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit’s call where he urged member states to approach the situation in Ukraine in a way that will best serve their national interests as the conflict has many Middle Eastern countries concerned about its impact on global food supplies.
The delegation on Tuesday convened with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Poland, expressing its concern regarding Russia's war.
The Arab League discussed the efforts to reach a ceasefire and the need for an agreement to resolve the conflict and restore peace and security, read their statement.
Russia is known as the world’s top wheat exporter and the region heavily relies on Ukrainian agricultural exports.
Prices of flour and cooking oils have skyrocketed in local Iraqi markets, sparking large demonstrations in the southern city of Nasiriyah earlier this month. Iraqi officials blamed the conflict in Ukraine for the sudden price increase, AFP reported.
Russia and Ukraine have held several rounds of talks of peace that yielded no results.
The Arab League delegation and Lavrov also discussed the efforts to “end the crisis and its security, political, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” he added.
A delegation comprising of the Arab League secretary-general and the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, and Sudan met with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday to help reach a political settlement between Russia and Ukraine.
Lavrov and the delegation held “in-depth talks on efforts to cease fire and reach an agreement to resolve the crisis and restore peace and security,” state media quoted Ahmed al-Sahaf as saying.
The delegation also offered to “carry out mediation efforts” in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine as they aim to “reach the cessation of military operations,” according to Sahaf.
The fight in Ukraine began in the early hours of February 24 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he referred to as a “military operation” in the country of about 40 million.
The meeting came in response to the Arab League’s Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit’s call where he urged member states to approach the situation in Ukraine in a way that will best serve their national interests as the conflict has many Middle Eastern countries concerned about its impact on global food supplies.
The delegation on Tuesday convened with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Poland, expressing its concern regarding Russia's war.
The Arab League discussed the efforts to reach a ceasefire and the need for an agreement to resolve the conflict and restore peace and security, read their statement.
Russia is known as the world’s top wheat exporter and the region heavily relies on Ukrainian agricultural exports.
Prices of flour and cooking oils have skyrocketed in local Iraqi markets, sparking large demonstrations in the southern city of Nasiriyah earlier this month. Iraqi officials blamed the conflict in Ukraine for the sudden price increase, AFP reported.
Russia and Ukraine have held several rounds of talks of peace that yielded no results.
The Arab League delegation and Lavrov also discussed the efforts to “end the crisis and its security, political, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” he added.