Russia circulates UN Security Council draft calling for halt to Middle East escalation

Russia on Sunday circulated a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council urging all parties involved in the escalating conflict in the Middle East to immediately halt military activity 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 rising regional tensions.

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

Without naming specific countries, the draft expresses “deep concern over the current military escalation in the Middle East and beyond” and mourns the loss of life caused by the ongoing hostilities.

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

The text also “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.

Additionally, the draft stresses “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” through political and diplomatic channels.

Russia circulated the document as the Security Council continues to debate how to respond to the widening regional crisis.

It remains unclear when the council might vote on the proposal, though diplomats said negotiations among member states are expected to begin in the coming days.

Security Council resolutions require at least nine votes in favour and no veto from any of the five permanent members — Russia, the United States, China, United Kingdom and France — to be adopted.