Putin’s visit to the UAE – how Russia is regaining influence in the Arab world – a threat to Ukraine

One of the main reasons was the West’s reaction to Hamas’s war against Israel. More about the state of Russia in the Arab world 24 Kanala said the editor-in-chief of the portal “Ukraine in Arabic” Mohammad Farajallah.

Read more Horrible shelling, destroyed cities and thousands of victims: a chronology of the war between Israel and Hamas in 2023

“Even before the full-scale invasion began, I warned that all Russia’s finds in the Middle East are just mistakes of the West,” noted Mohammad Farajallah.

How Russia is regaining influence in the Middle East

Before the war between Hamas and Israel, Russia in the Middle East had reached such a level that no one wanted to see it there. At that moment, Russia was already rapidly losing its reputation.

Saudi Arabia even took up the issue of de-occupation of Ukrainian territory. In particular, on August 5–6, a meeting of national security and foreign policy advisers from 42 countries took place in Jeddah – a peace summit on the principles of restoring a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine.

Before this, the Arab world fought for a year and a half and thought that their best ally was the West and they needed to completely come over to their side. Unfortunately, the Arab world again faced double standards when it saw how the United States and Europe remained silent about the killing of Palestinian civilians and several times blocked ceasefire resolutions in the Gaza Strip.
– explained the editor of the portal “Ukraine in Arabic”.

It was here that Vladimir Putin saw an excellent chance and opportunity to revive himself in the Middle East again by offering his services.

UN Security Council vote on ceasefire in Gaza Strip

On October 18, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for a “humanitarian pause” to allow needed aid to be delivered to residents of the Gaza Strip. The United States’ permanent representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, explained the veto by saying that “this resolution makes no mention of Israel’s right to self-defense.”
Before this, the Security Council rejected two amendments proposed by Russia. They called for an immediate, lasting and complete ceasefire and an end to attacks on civilians.

A blow for the West

Russia’s vote on the ceasefire resolution in the Gaza Strip had a positive impact on its perception in the Arab world. Especially considering that he is not represented at the UN Security Council, and the West refused to support him.

Russia, defending the interests of the Arab world, is gradually returning its favor.

If the Arab world did not want to see Putin before, now we have returned to point zero again. Putin has seriously exploited this and now wants to promote warming between Saudi Arabia and Iran. If this happens, it will be a huge blow for the West,
– Farajallah emphasized.

The fact is that Saudi Arabia has never trusted Iran. But Vladimir Putin can convince Saudi Arabia that the West is not and will not help it, and offer to unite with both Russia and its allies, in particular Iran.

Mohammad Farajallah on Russia’s plans to regain its influence in the Middle East: watch video

In addition, despite all the sanctions, we are seeing a drop in oil production – this plays into the hands of the Kremlin.

“In the first days of Russia’s war against Ukraine, I said that Ukraine will win the war when one of the blocs comes over to its side: either China or the Arab world. China will not switch, and the Arab world was very close to this,” noted the editor of the portal “Ukraine in Arabic.”

Let us add that there is another conflict in the Middle East – in Sudan. There, Russia supports the side of the rebels, the Rapid Reaction Forces. Putin is trying to offer his services there too in order to powerfully join again and regain his influence in this region.

Putin will go to the UAE: briefly

• In December, Vladimir Putin planned several visits to Arab countries. In particular, he intends to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Putin’s assistant Yuri Ushakov said that Putin initially had a working visit to the United Arab Emirates. The global climate summit COP28 is currently taking place there.
• Already December 6th Putin arrived in Abu Dhabi, where he is to meet with UAE President Mohammed Al Nahyan. They are scheduled to negotiate, as part of a delegation, and then face to face.
• From there, the Russian dictator must fly to negotiations with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Note that neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE have ratified the Rome Statute, according to which Vladimir Putin must be arrested through an order issued by the ISS.