Russian deputy FM calls for political, diplomatic means to resolve Middle East conflict

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov called for a return to political and diplomatic means to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Tuesday, Alimov said Russia and China share a common position on the issue and have jointly condemned military actions in the region. He said that with joint efforts from Russia and China, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Saturday to address the latest developments in Iran.

"Given the current situation in the Middle East, we jointly advocate an immediate cessation of violence, oppose escalation, and call for a return to political and diplomatic means to resolve the conflict, eliminating its impact on international peace and security as well as on sustainable economic development," Alimov said.

Russian deputy FM calls for political, diplomatic means to resolve Middle East conflict

Russian deputy FM calls for political, diplomatic means to resolve Middle East conflict

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol warned on Thursday that the global oil market may enter a "red zone" in July and August this year, as fuel demand rise and stocks dwindle.

Birol noted that the supply crisis triggered by the situation in the Middle East was initially cushioned by spare capacity in the global oil market, but that oil stocks are now gradually decreasing.

The 32 members of the IEA on March 11 unanimously agreed to make 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves available to the market in response to disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

The IEA stands ready to coordinate further reserve releases if necessary, Birol added.

IEA chief warns of global oil market entering "red zone" this summer