Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, expressed deep concern on Thursday regarding the cascading effects of regional escalation in the Middle East on peace efforts in Yemen.

During a meeting in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, Grundberg emphasized that international cooperation and diplomatic efforts are essential to reversing the current troubling trajectory impacting Yemen, the Red Sea, and the surrounding region.

According to a statement from the UN envoy's office, which was reviewed by Barran Press, both parties discussed strategies to build trust among Yemeni factions, strengthen the fragile ceasefire, and implement the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement. They underscored the importance of maintaining unity within the UN Security Council to support ongoing international efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis.

Grundberg also voiced concerns over the continued arbitrary detentions of UN personnel and humanitarian workers by the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

On December 23, the UN announced that Yemeni parties had reached agreements to commit to various measures, including a nationwide ceasefire, improvements in living conditions, and preparations to resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices.

However, peace efforts and the roadmap for Yemen have stalled due to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf since November.