The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, affirmed today, Sunday, that the GCC member states firmly believe in the importance of peaceful and diplomatic solutions as an effective means to address regional and international issues and crises, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

The GCC General Secretariat stated in a press release that this came during a meeting between Al-Budaiwi and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the Dubrovnik Forum 2025 in Croatia.

The statement noted that the meeting discussed a number of key topics, reviewed bilateral relations between the GCC and Ukraine, and explored ways to develop and strengthen them to achieve mutual objectives—within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides in November 2017 to enhance cooperation and serve their common interests.

The two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, including issues of mutual concern, such as the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Al-Budaiwi reiterated that the GCC’s stance on this crisis is based on the principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the preservation of the international order founded on respect for state sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, and the rejection of the use or threat of force.