Moscow – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov may visit the Arab Gulf region before the end of August, revealed a source from the Foreign Ministry.

Another source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the timing of the visit is still being studied, adding that Russia wants to be part of a solution to a number of crises in the region “given its good ties with the Arab Gulf.”

“We have recently witnessed positive developments in the ties between Riyadh and Moscow,” it stated.

“It is natural that Lavrov will address, during the expected tour, regional crises, starting the one with Qatar,” it continued.

The source did not rule out the possibility that Russia may back the Kuwaiti mediation to end the dispute with Doha.

Lavrov had held a telephone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on August 12 in order to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said at the time that the two ministers had talked about pressing issues to continue on developing Russian-Saudi bilateral ties.

They also underscored the importance of peace and stability on the regional and international scenes, agreeing to continue dialogue as a way to resolve problems in the Middle East.

Russian media at the time said that Jubeir and Lavrov had discussed the crisis with Qatar.

Moscow is seeking to play the role of mediator in the Gulf dispute, an intention Lavrov had announced in July when he said that Russia “is ready to help resolve the crisis between Qatar and its neighbors if the mediating parties believe that this assistance is necessary.”

The Russian official said that the solution should take into consideration the mutual concerns of the sides involved.

He also expressed a Russian readiness to join the Kuwaiti mediation, led by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, to end the dispute.