Russia circulates UN Security Council draft urging end to Middle East escalation

Russia on Sunday circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council urging all parties involved in the escalating conflict in the Middle East to immediately halt military activities and return to negotiations, according to a text seen by Arab News.

The draft, distributed to the 15-member council, calls for an end to further escalation and condemns attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure amid intensifying regional tensions.

The proposed resolution reaffirms the principles of the UN Charter and recalls Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Without naming any of the parties, the draft expresses “deep concern over the current military escalation in the Middle East and beyond” and mourns the loss of life resulting from the ongoing hostilities.

The draft urges all parties to “immediately stop their military activities and refrain from further escalation in the Middle East and beyond.”

The text further “condemns in the strongest terms all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure” and calls for their protection in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.

The draft also underscores “the importance of ensuring security of all states in the region of the Middle East and beyond” and strongly encourages all parties to return to negotiations “without any further delay” using political and diplomatic means.

Russia circulated the document as the UN Security Council continues to grapple with how to respond to the growing regional crisis.

It was not immediately clear when the council might vote on the proposal, and diplomats said negotiations among members were expected to begin in the coming days.

Security Council resolutions require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the five permanent members — Russia, the United States, China, Britain and France — to be adopted.