Barran Press
Rashad Alimi, the President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, welcomed a high-level Russian delegation on Wednesday in Aden, the country’s temporary capital. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to revive joint ministerial committees between Yemen and Russia.
According to the official Yemeni news agency Saba, the delegation was led by Alexander Kinshak, the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place at the Maashiq Palace, where Alimi discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including the resumption of Russian embassy operations in Aden.
During the meeting, Alimi praised the long-standing ties between Yemen and Russia, which have spanned nearly nine decades, expressing confidence that the reopening of the Russian embassy in Aden would enhance bilateral relations and support international solidarity with the Yemeni people in their aspirations for state restoration, peace, and stability. He also highlighted the need to counter violations by the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization.
Both sides addressed the current situation in Yemen and acknowledged the mediation efforts led by Saudi Arabia and Oman aimed at de-escalating tensions and initiating an inclusive political process under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Russian delegation reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Yemen and restoring peace and stability in the country.
On October 15, the Southern Transitional Council's acting president, Ali Al Kutheri, met with Kinshak and discussed the arrangements for reopening the Russian consulate and the embassy's operations in Aden. Al Kutheri welcomed the strategic decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reopen the consulate.
Additionally, the Russian delegation met with Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Al Zandani, to discuss the reopening of diplomatic missions in Aden, emphasizing the Yemeni government's willingness to facilitate the presence of more embassies and delegations in the temporary capital despite ongoing economic challenges.
On September 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the decision to reopen the Russian embassy in Aden, following years of closure due to the Houthi control of Sana'a. This move is seen as a step towards improving communication and coordination with the Yemeni government.