Zakharova says Russia respects Gulf defense deals with Ukraine, rejects anti-Moscow 'spin'

MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday that Moscow respects the sovereign right of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to sign defense cooperation agreements with other countries.

Responding to an Anadolu question at a media briefing in Moscow, Zakharova said attempts to portray such agreements as anti-Russian or as a sign of solidarity with Kyiv are "absurd."

"We respect the sovereign right of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to sign defense cooperation agreements with other countries. Attempts to present such facts in an anti-Russian vein, as a demonstration of solidarity by Riyadh and Doha with the Kyiv regime, I consider absurd, and we are convinced that the traditionally friendly relations with the monarchies of the Persian Gulf will continue to progressively develop despite attempts by certain external forces to hinder this," she said.

Zakharova added that Moscow considers the Ukrainian authorities “a terrorist regime” and is making efforts to convey this position to its partners.

Commenting on a late March attack in the Black Sea on the tanker Altura, sailing under the flag of Sierra Leone and operated by Türkiye while carrying crude oil, Zakharova said Ukrainian authorities would attack any country and betray their allies.

She emphasized that “ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Russian-Turkish strategic projects in the energy sector, and the safety of navigation in the Black Sea region” remains a priority in dialogue with Ankara.

Zakharova noted that the strike on the oil tanker belonging to a Turkish company was discussed with partners during contacts in Moscow and Ankara.

"During these discussions, the need for a clear public response from Turkey condemning the criminal actions of the Kyiv regime, as well as the adoption of additional measures to ensure the security of energy supplies in the region, was emphasized," she said.

Zakharova also condemned Israel's strikes on the Caspian Sea, stressing that Moscow supports preserving the region as a space for peaceful cooperation and rejects threats directed at it.