Omani leader meets with Russian Foreign Minister in Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Muscat today, as the Russian politician toured the Sultanate.

During the meeting, Lavrov conveyed the greetings of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation to Sultan Haitham and wished the Omani people continued progress and prosperity, praising the country’s wisdom in dealing with various regional and international issues, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

The Omani leader acknowledged the friendly relations between his country and Russia and encouraged Moscow to find a political and diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, ONA reported.

The meeting was attended by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ilya Morgunov, Russian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman. Lavrov also met with Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said while in Muscat.

Earlier today, Reuters reported that Lavrov said that Moscow did not want war in Europe, but that Western countries were keen to see Russia defeated in its military campaign in Ukraine.

“If you are worried about the prospect of war in Europe – we do not want that at all,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Muscat.

“But I draw your attention to the fact that it is the West that is constantly and persistently saying that in this situation, it is necessary to defeat Russia. Draw your own conclusions.”