Riyadh Asks EU to Escort Ships in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The EU's foreign policy chief, while urging the United States to align with the bloc's sanctions policy against Russia, said in part of her remarks that Riyadh has asked the EU to strengthen its naval mission, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, in the Red Sea and help escort ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

While asking the US to align with the bloc's sanctions policy against Russia, the head of the European Union's foreign policy said in a part of his statement that Riyadh has asked the European Union to strengthen its naval mission, ESPID, in the Red Sea and help escort ships in the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Ambassador Arjan-International Group: Kaya Callas, the head of the European Union's external action service today-Monday, while asking the United States to align with the bloc's sanctions policy against Russia, said that coordinated pressure from Washington and European partners can help end the war in Ukraine.

Ambassador Arjan reported that Kalas told reporters before the European Union Foreign Relations Council meeting in Luxembourg that efforts to put pressure on Moscow would be more effective if the United States joins the European Union and England in imposing more sanctions against Russia.

Noting that "it would have worked out much better if our partners from Britain and America had aligned with us," he said the passage of Graham's bill on Russia in Washington could significantly increase pressure on Moscow.

"We could really put pressure on Russia to end this war," Kalas said.

According to him, the sanctions have deprived Russia of one trillion euros ($1.1 trillion).

Actions against the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russian tankers will also make it increasingly difficult for Moscow to finance the war, Kalas added.

Regarding the announcement of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to not target energy facilities by US President Donald Trump, Kalas said that the European Union welcomes it, but it is not yet clear whether Moscow will adhere to it or not.

Emphasizing that the ceasefire should go beyond energy infrastructure and include "the end of killing people", he questioned the scope of this ceasefire and noted that Ukraine has one refinery while Russia has several refineries and said that the ceasefire should not benefit Moscow.

Regarding Trump's request to hold new elections in Ukraine, he recalled that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his readiness to hold elections as soon as possible if a ceasefire is established.

Kalas' statements have been raised after the US President announced on Friday evening that Russia has agreed to supply diesel to the world markets in order to lower fuel prices. At the same time, Trump lifted sanctions on Russian fuel designed to deprive Moscow of war revenues; The deal, which has been criticized by US lawmakers, EU officials and Volodymyr Zelensky, has been seen as an aid to Moscow's war efforts amid an escalation of its attacks on civilian parts of Ukraine.

In another part of his statements about the developments in West Asia, Kalas condemned the defensive response of the Yemeni army to the aggressive attacks of Saudi Arabia, including targeting its airports.

According to him, EU ministers will discuss further measures to address the situation in the Red Sea. Some time ago, in response to the attacks of Saudi Arabia and its mercenaries, the Yemeni army took control of several cities on the coast line of the Red Sea, which enabled it to fully control the Bab al-Mandab strait - the vital artery of Saudi Arabia's oil exports.

Callas added that on Sunday they had a conversation with Faisal bin Farhan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, in which they discussed the possibility of strengthening the European Union's Spades naval operation.

He also said that EU foreign ministers will discuss the creation of a new mission in Lebanon with a mix of civilian and military components.

This senior EU diplomat expressed hope that this mission, if approved, would be ready to start operations in the field within a few months.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: 2 out of 5 Iranian prisoners return to Iran. 1 person goes to that country because his family is in another country. 2 others asked to stay in America.

After the withdrawal of NATO from Afghanistan and the disasters caused by America, European leaders talked about the need to review their security policies in interaction with America, but the use of excuses such as the war in Ukraine and the risk of war with China created an opportunity for America to make the Europeans depend on it again.

Before traveling to Moscow, Witkoff and Kushner demanded to clarify the position of Ukraine and European countries regarding the new American proposal to end the war; A trip that reports say has been postponed.