Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut
diplomatic relations with Qatar in June on accusations that it has sponsored extremist groups. Qatar strongly denies the charges.
Kuwait has been trying to mitigate the tensions. Lavrov visits the UAE and Qatar later this week.
“We have good relations with all the countries involved in this difficult situation,” Lavrov said in comments carried by Russian state news agency TASS.
“In the most active way possible, we believe Kuwait’s initiative deserves the support of everyone who could have a positive influence on this situation,” he said.
“We are ready to provide this support in ways that are acceptable to all the participants in this situation,” the Russian foreign minister said.
Lavrov met with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, according to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah met with the Russian foreign minister and his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their visit to Kuwait, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) said.
During the meeting, they discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations at all levels, in addition to the latest regional and international developments.
Lavrov said that his visit to Kuwait aims to proceed towards the implementation of the agreements signed during the Kuwaiti emir’s visit to Russia two years ago and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on strengthening bilateral relations and co-ordination towards issues of mutual concern.
Kuwaiti News Agency KUNA said the emir received Lavrov at Seif Palace in presence of the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
The meeting was attended by First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, Adviser at the Emiri Diwan Mohamed Dhaifallah Sharar and Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Suleiman al-Jarallah.
Lavrov’s visit to Kuwait City yesterday marks the first high-level diplomatic visit by Russia over the crisis, which began on June 5.
Kuwait’s ruler has tried to mediate an end to a boycott by four Arab nations against Qatar, as have the United States, France and other world powers.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who visited Kuwait on Sunday and held talks with Kuwaiti leaders including the Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, said the United Nations fully supported mediation efforts led by Kuwait to solve the Gulf crisis.
His “confirmation” of full support to Kuwaiti mediation came during his meeting with the Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Marzouq Ali al-Ghanim.
Qatar has been constantly maintaining the position that the unjustified and illegal blockade has to be lifted first for talks to follow to reach a solution to the current impasse.
