Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Call for Safe Passage Through Key Strait
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, during which both leaders emphasized the need for safe passage through the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, two of the world's most critical maritime trade routes . The Kremlin stated that the two leaders conducted a detailed exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East and stressed that a political and diplomatic settlement remains the "only viable path forward" . They also underscored the need for a swift cessation of hostilities in Yemen amid the deteriorating military and political situation there .
Key Points
- Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held the phone call on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of safe and unimpeded vessel passage through the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz
- Both leaders called for a swift end to hostilities in Yemen, where the military and political situation is deteriorating
- Saudi Arabia's two key oil export routes are disrupted—Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz while Houthi militants threaten the Bab el-Mandeb
- Riyadh has been forced to reroute oil exports through Egypt's Suez Canal as a result of these disruptions
- The United States conducted two months of airstrikes against the Houthis last year but has rebuffed Crown Prince Mohammed's repeated requests to rejoin the fight
- President Trump called off planned US strikes against the Houthis at the last minute on Sunday, even as US troops had begun loading bombs onto aircraft
Why It Matters
The joint call signals deepening Russia-Saudi coordination on regional security at a time when both nations have strained relationships with Washington over Middle East policy. For Hong Kong, disruptions to these strategic chokepoints could affect global shipping costs and oil prices, impacting trade flows through one of the world's busiest container ports.