2026-09-08 Source Full transcript 00:25:18 Review required
Lavrov Faisal bin Farhan Saudi Arabia OPEC+ Ukraine Gaza Iran Yemen Houthis Intervision Gulf security trade tourism Russia

Joint press conference by Sergey Lavrov and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Moscow, 8 September 2026

1. Centenary of Russia–Saudi Diplomacy

Обстоятельные доверительные переговоры; 100 лет дипотношениям (февраль 2026); развитие всех сфер на благо народов.

Lavrov opens with substantive, constructive and trustful talks with his “good friend” Faisal bin Farhan. Special focus is on prospects for traditionally friendly Russia–Saudi relations in the year marking 100 years since diplomatic ties were established (February 2026). Both sides stress developing all spheres of interstate relations for the benefit of their peoples; Faisal likewise highlights the centenary visit as a chance to continue dialogue and coordination.

мы с моим коллегой и добрым другом, министром иностранных дел королевства Саудовской Аравии Фейсалом бен Фарханом Аль-Саудом, провели обстоятельные, очень полезные переговоры, как всегда конструктивно, доверительно
My colleague and good friend, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and I held thorough, very useful talks, as always constructively and in a spirit of trust.
В этом году, как вы знаете, в феврале этого года исполнилось 100 лет установлению дипломатических связей.
This year, as you know, in February of this year it was 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
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2. Trade Growth and Intergovernmental Commission

Рост почти на 40%; роль межправительственной комиссии; на ПМЭФ соглашения на 4,7 млрд саудовских реалов.

The ministers discuss key aspects of trade and economic cooperation. Lavrov is satisfied that last year’s turnover rose substantially — almost 40% — and both sides want to sustain that pace. A special role is assigned to the joint Russian–Saudi intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation. Faisal notes economic and investment cooperation, including SPIEF guest-country agreements totaling 4.7 billion Saudi riyals.

Удовлетворены, что по итогам прошлого года товарооборот существенно вырос, почти на 40%.
We are satisfied that, based on last year’s results, trade turnover grew substantially, by almost 40%.
особую роль здесь мы отводим совместной межправительственной Российско-Саудовской комиссии по торгово-экономическому и научно-техническому сотрудничеству.
Here we assign a special role to the joint Russian–Saudi intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation.
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3. OPEC+ Co-Chair Coordination

Плотная координация сопредседателей для баланса спроса и предложения на энергорынке.

In the economic context, both sides confirm intent to continue close coordination within OPEC+ to balance supply and demand on the world energy market — especially important in current conditions. As co-chairs of the group, Russia and Saudi Arabia will consistently pursue agreed approaches. Faisal stresses that cooperation helps ensure stability of international energy markets and stable world economic growth.

подтвердили настрой на продолжение плотной координации в рамках ОПЕК+ с целью обеспечения баланса спроса и предложения на мировом энергетическом рынке
We confirmed readiness to continue dense coordination within OPEC+ with the aim of ensuring a balance of supply and demand on the world energy market.
Россия и Саудовская Аравия как сопредседатели этой группы стран будут последовательно проводить согласованные подходы.
Russia and Saudi Arabia, as co-chairs of this group of countries, will consistently pursue agreed approaches.
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4. Tourism Surge and Visa-Free Travel

+35% саудовских туристов; безвизовое соглашение с мая текущего года.

Lavrov highlights strong tourism potential: Saudi visitors to Russia rose 35% last year, with Russian tourism to the Kingdom growing at a similar pace, helped by the visa-free travel agreement that entered into force in May of this year. Mutual interest in expanding cultural and humanitarian ties is affirmed.

В прошлом году их было у нас на 35% больше, чем в предыдущем году.
Last year there were 35% more of them with us than in the previous year.
Этому способствует соглашение о безвизовых поездках наших граждан, которое вступило в силу в мае нынешнего года.
This is helped by the agreement on visa-free travel for our citizens, which entered into force in May of this year.
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5. Intervision, Hajj and Cultural–Humanitarian Track

Второй конкурс Интервидения в КСА — сроки позже; поддержка паломничества; музеи, спорт, образование.

Cultural cooperation includes last year’s Intervision music contest in Russia; the Saudi Crown Prince invited the second contest to the Kingdom — timing deferred given the regional situation. Russia thanks Saudi friends for consistent attention and support in organizing Russian Muslims’ pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites in the Kingdom. Education, museum work and sport are also to be developed; Hermitage–Saudi museum joint projects are mentioned later.

Наследный принц Саудовской Аравии по его завершении пригласил второй конкурс в своё королевство.
After it concluded, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia invited the second contest to his Kingdom.
Мы признательны нашим саудовским друзьям за неизменное внимание и поддержку при организации паломничества российских мусульман к святыням ислама
We are grateful to our Saudi friends for unfailing attention and support in organizing the pilgrimage of Russian Muslims to the holy sites of Islam.

6. Persian Gulf, Iran and the Islamabad Memorandum

Страны полуострова втянуты в противостояние США/Израиля с Ираном; меморандум 17 июня тормозится.

Main regional focus is the Persian Gulf. Russia regrets that Arabian Peninsula states were drawn against their will into the military confrontation of the US and Israel with Iran. Contradictions must be resolved solely by political-diplomatic means under international law. Implementation of the 17 June Islamabad memorandum between the US and Iran — meant to advance peace talks — is still stalled; Moscow and Riyadh seek reasonable compromises to realize that agreement.

Мы в России сожалеем, что страны Аравийского полуострова оказались не по своей воле втянуты в военное противостояние США и Израиля с Ираном.
We in Russia regret that the countries of the Arabian Peninsula found themselves drawn against their will into the military confrontation of the US and Israel with Iran.
Имею в виду, прежде всего, подписанный 17 июня исламабадский меморандум между Соединёнными Штатами и Исламской Республикой Иран.
I mean, first of all, the Islamabad memorandum signed on 17 June between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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7. Collective Security Forum for the Gulf

Инициативы ССАГПЗ, России, Ирана, КНР; доверие, транспарентность; возможен формат с П5.

Talks cover the GCC initiative and Russia’s concept of collective security in the region; Iranian and Chinese ideas point the same way. There is a shared view that at some stage a forum to consider all constructive proposals for durable peace would be useful. In Q&A Lavrov stresses trust, military transparency and joint protection of energy infrastructure; all Gulf states plus neighbors (Iraq, Jordan), Arab League / OIC, and possibly P5 accompaniment.

на каком-то этапе будет полезно созвать форум для рассмотрения всех конструктивных предложений, которые позволят установить здесь … долгосрочный устойчивый мир.
At some stage it will be useful to convene a forum to consider all constructive proposals that will make it possible to establish here … long-term sustainable peace.
Всё упирается в доверие. … требуется транспарентность в военной области, шаги по совместному обеспечению безопасности объектов энергетики
Everything comes down to trust. … Transparency in the military sphere is required, steps toward jointly ensuring the security of energy facilities.
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8. Gaza, Palestine and the Trump Plan Stall

Нет прогресса по плану Трампа; октябрьское перемирие не выполняется; всеобъемлющее урегулирование по решениям ООН.

Special attention goes to Palestinian territories, above all Gaza. Despite the arrangement presented as President Trump’s plan, there is no progress. An October agreement between Israelis and Hamas on a ceasefire and humanitarian aid is not being implemented. Moscow and Riyadh hold that only a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian problem on the known UN legal base can guarantee durable peace for all peoples of the region, including Israel’s security — by agreement, not military force.

несмотря на наличие договорённости, которая была презентована как план президента США Дональда Трампа, никакого прогресса нет.
Despite the existence of an arrangement that was presented as US President Donald Trump’s plan, there is no progress.
только комплексное всеобъемлющее урегулирование палестинской проблемы … гарантирует прочный мир всем народам региона, включая и Израиль
Only a comprehensive, all-encompassing settlement of the Palestinian problem … guarantees durable peace for all the peoples of the region, including Israel.
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9. Yemen, Shipping Security and the Saudi Roadmap

Свобода судоходства у Баб-эль-Мандеба; дорожная карта Эр-Рияда; удары хуситов контрпродуктивны.

The Yemen file is tied to the Arabian Peninsula and Bab el-Mandeb (as with the Strait of Hormuz): freedom of commercial navigation must be ensured. Sustainable stabilization in Yemen runs through early direct dialogue among influential Yemeni political forces — possibly under UN auspices — while preserving the roadmap Saudi Arabia coordinated with internationally recognized authorities and Ansarallah representatives. In Q&A Lavrov calls Houthi strikes on Saudi (including civilian) infrastructure counterproductive and fully backs Riyadh’s push to implement that roadmap; military solutions threaten civilians and world trade routes.

мы отмечаем … важность обеспечения безопасности и свободы коммерческого судоходства во всех водах мирового океана … включая те, которые прилегают к Йемену.
We note … the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of commercial shipping in all waters of the world ocean … including those adjacent to Yemen.
Мы полностью поддерживаем стремление Саудовской Аравии продолжать добиваться выполнения той дорожной карты, которая была согласована
We fully support Saudi Arabia’s striving to continue seeking implementation of that roadmap which was agreed.
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10. Syria and Sudan — Unity and Sovereignty

Единство, территориальная целостность, суверенитет; постконфликтное восстановление Сирии.

Positions are similar on Syria and Sudan: support for unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of both states. For Syria, consolidate efforts on remaining problems, especially post-conflict recovery; for Sudan, settle issues on the basis of decisions by the country’s legitimate authorities.

мы выступаем в поддержку единства, территориальной целостности и суверенитета, соответственно, Сирийской Арабской Республики и Судана
We stand in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty, respectively, of the Syrian Arab Republic and of Sudan.
акцентировали необходимость консолидации усилий в интересах урегулирования остающихся проблем Сирии, прежде всего проблем постконфликтного восстановления
We stressed the need to consolidate efforts in the interest of settling Syria’s remaining problems, first of all problems of post-conflict recovery.
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11. Ukraine — Saudi Stance and Root Causes

Принципиальная взвешенная позиция; гуманитарный вклад; урегулирование через устранение первопричин.

Lavrov thanks Saudi partners for a principled, responsible and balanced position on Ukraine and for seeking to contribute both on humanitarian problems arising from the situation and to broader efforts for a reliable long-term political settlement based on eliminating the well-known root causes of the crisis. Dense dialogue will continue; he hopes to meet again soon at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Мы признательны саудовским друзьям за их принципиальную, ответственную, взвешенную позицию по Украине
We are grateful to our Saudi friends for their principled, responsible, balanced position on Ukraine.
вклад в общие усилия по обеспечению надёжного политического долгосрочного урегулирования на основе устранения хорошо известных первопричин этого кризиса.
A contribution to common efforts to ensure a reliable long-term political settlement on the basis of eliminating the well-known root causes of this crisis.
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12. Q&A — Ukraine Talks, Trump Envoys and the EU

Встреча Путина с посланниками Трампа; переговоры на основе первопричин; ЕС мешает переходу к их рассмотрению.

Asked whether conditions exist to resume Russia–Ukraine talks, Lavrov points to Putin’s Moscow meeting with President Trump’s envoys. Russia is always ready to negotiate on the basis of understanding and eliminating root causes created by the West — chiefly the previous US administration, the EU and NATO, who still seek Russia’s “defeat.” The Trump administration from the outset has shown willingness and ability to see those root causes; the EU, Lavrov says, continues to block movement toward that path.

необходимо прежде всего вести переговоры … на основе понимания первопричин и на основе выработки договорённости по устранению первопричин нынешнего украинского кризиса
First of all it is necessary to conduct negotiations … on the basis of understanding the root causes and of working out an agreement to eliminate the root causes of the current Ukrainian crisis.
Именно Европейский Союз продолжает делать всё, чтобы не допустить перехода ситуации в русло рассмотрения первопричин
It is precisely the European Union that continues to do everything to prevent the situation from moving into the channel of considering the root causes.
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13. Q&A — Intervision Timing and Saudi View of Yemen

Сроки конкурса неясны из‑за региональной обстановки; дипломатия не закрыта, но самозащита без колебаний.

On Intervision in Saudi Arabia, Faisal says the regional situation may make it hard to stage the event at the proper level; timing remains to be set between the relevant structures. On Yemen, he argues Houthis repeatedly pursue narrow interests through force and violence while Riyadh and the legitimate government keep offering peaceful, diplomatic tracks. The diplomatic track is not closed, but the Kingdom will not hesitate in self-defense and will use all available means for regional stability.

Учитывая текущую обстановку в регионе, может быть достаточно сложно организовать такое мероприятие на соответствующем уровне.
Given the current situation in the region, it may be rather difficult to organize such an event at the appropriate level.
я не хочу сказать, что дипломатический трек закрыт, поскольку королевство всегда поддерживает мир и дипломатические решения. Но мы не будем колебаться в … самозащите
I do not wish to say that the diplomatic track is closed, since the Kingdom always supports peace and diplomatic solutions. But we will not hesitate in … self-defense.
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14. Breadth of Strategic Partnership and UN Reform

Торговля, инвестиции, совместные производства; реформа СБ ООН и представительство Глобального Юга.

Asked about the next stage of partnership as relations enter their second century, Lavrov says the agenda keeps expanding with concrete roadmaps: trade, economy, investment, joint production, third-country projects, IT, sport, tourism, museums — and unbounded international work from regional crises to UN and Security Council reform so Global South countries are properly represented. Today’s results, he concludes, are joint action building on prior coordination and summit-level agreements; both sides agreed to continue and intensify it.

Сферы нашего взаимодействия, стратегического партнёрства постоянно расширяются, повестка дня обогащается.
The spheres of our interaction and strategic partnership are constantly expanding; the agenda is being enriched.
сотрудничества в Организации Объединённых Наций по глобальным вопросам, включая вопрос реформирования ООН, реформирования её Совета безопасности с тем, чтобы страны глобального юга были достойно представлены
Cooperation in the United Nations on global issues, including reforming the UN and reforming its Security Council so that countries of the Global South are properly represented.
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