Rosalind Evans
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent arrival in Abu Dhabi marks a rare international visit amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and subsequent visit to Saudi Arabia underscores the growing significance of Middle Eastern partnerships in Russia’s global strategy. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have maintained a neutral stance in the Ukraine crisis, avoiding Western sanctions against Russia and highlighting their crucial role in Moscow’s international relations.
The significance of these visits cannot be overstated, as they are Putin’s first to the Middle Eastern region since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in February 2022. In Abu Dhabi, Putin’s agenda includes meeting with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to discuss multifaceted bilateral cooperation and pressing international issues, particularly the Middle East. The Kremlin’s readout indicates a comprehensive review of the current state and future expansion of ties.
In Riyadh, Putin is set to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation and exchanging views on regional and international matters. These meetings precede Putin’s hosting of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow, reflecting Iran’s burgeoning importance as a trade partner and military supplier for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
A key aspect of Putin’s discussions in the Middle East will likely revolve around energy, especially following the recent OPEC+ agreement on voluntary output cuts, which Russia and Saudi Arabia played pivotal roles in shaping. The economic ties between Russia and these Middle Eastern nations have seen a significant upsurge after the Ukraine invasion. For instance, Russia-UAE trade soared by nearly 68% in 2022, reaching $9 billion, with Russian exports forming a substantial part of this figure.
Similarly, Russia’s economic relations with Saudi Arabia have increased. Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sergey Kozlov, has expressed ambitions to elevate bilateral trade to $5 billion annually, a substantial increase from the $1.75 billion recorded in 2022. This growth is attributed to heightened trade in agriculture, fertilizer, and energy commodities.
Notably, Putin’s international travel has been constrained by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes. However, neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE have ratified the ICC statute, providing Putin with a safe passage in these territories.
President Putin’s visits to the UAE and Saudi Arabia signify a strategic maneuver to strengthen Russia’s international alliances and economic partnerships, especially during a period marked by heightened tensions and conflict in Ukraine. These meetings reflect the economic imperatives driving Russia’s foreign policy and highlight the geopolitical complexities and the evolving dynamics of international relations in the current global landscape.
