Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have stressed the need to ensure safe and unhindered passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, according to the Kremlin.
Reuters reported that the two leaders discussed the Middle East by phone on September 22 and agreed that a political and diplomatic settlement remained the only viable path forward.
The Kremlin said they also called for a swift end to hostilities in Yemen as the military and political situation there deteriorates.
The appeal comes as shipping through both strategic waterways faces disruption linked to the wider regional conflict. Saudi Arabia has had to rely more heavily on alternative export routes as normal traffic through key maritime chokepoints has been constrained.
The call is a diplomatic position by the two leaders. It does not establish a new maritime-security agreement, ceasefire or enforcement mechanism.
Any improvement in shipping conditions will depend on the security situation, decisions by vessel operators and broader regional diplomacy.