RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Wednesday said the Gulf countries are united on their position on Ukraine. Speaking during a joint ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Prince Faisal said the bloc’s position on Iran was also united by its call to abide by international law. The ministerial council affirmed its support for mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine and a cease-fire, it said in a joint statement following the meeting. It also expressed its support for all efforts to facilitate the export of grain and all food and humanitarian supplies from Ukraine to provide food security for the affected countries. Prince Faisal also said that the GCC is keen to support all efforts to reach a just political solution in Yemen. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the GCC countries understand the nature of the conflict between his country and the West, adding: “Our partners in the Gulf have confirmed that they will not join the sanctions against Russia.” He added that there are risks that a third country could become involved in the Ukraine conflict due to supplies of rocket launchers. He called for Syria to return to its membership status in the Arab League, and said Russia supports the new Yemeni Presidential Council and the current truce, which it hopes will be extended.