UNSC to open quarterly debate on the Middle East

The UN Security Council will open its quarterly debate today. 

The discussions will focus on Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza and destabilisation in the region more broadly. Additionally, at the behest of the Russian delegation, the Council will discuss Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to be in attendance. 

On Ukraine, Lavrov’s goal will be to present Russia’s case for seeking a political solution to end to war. Turning to the Middle East, the Council will discuss how to deescalate the crises. Regarding Ukraine, expect further deadlock. From Moscow’s perspective a return of territories  conquered since the 2022 invasion is unthinkable, while Ukraine will for now continue to reject peace-treaties before such territory is returned.  In the Middle East, Russia stands to gain politically from regional chaos, which both diverts Western attention from Ukraine, whilst fomenting anti-Western sentiment, which will further erode support for Ukraine. To this end, Russia has stepped away from its usual role as regional powerbroker and has become more outspoken on Middle Eastern affairs, for example by condemning Western airstrikes into Yemen and strengthening the relationship with Iran. Therefore, the debate on how best to deescalate the region is unlikely to yield meaningful progress.