Putin Stoops in the United Arab Emirates for a Sojourn
With an international arrest warrant hanging above his head, Russian President Vladimir Putin is gearing up to pay a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the Kremlin, Putin will meet with President Mohammed bin Sajed al-Nahjan during this "working visit" to discuss co operation between the two nations and the situation in the Middle East.
Subsequently, Putin plans to jet off to Saudi Arabia, where he will be greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to the Kremlin, the discussions in Riyadh will revolve around trade, investment, and international politics. The Kremlin also mentioned Putin's impending plans to tackle the oil production cuts agreed upon by OPEC+, an oil cartel both UAE and Saudi Arabia are affiliated with.
It was initially unclear whether Putin would attend the UN Climate Change Conference underway in Dubai, UAE. However, it transpired that he would not be apprehended during his stay in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, as neither nation is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) based in The Hague.
Additional Insights:
Putin's journey to the UAE and Saudi Arabia is primarily driven by numerous strategic and diplomatic motivations. Despite the ICC's arrest warrant, here are some key points that outline the purpose of his visits:
- End the War in Ukraine:
- Putin's intention is to negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict via these meetings. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Riyadh to lay the groundwork for diplomatic ties and discussions on the Ukraine situation[2][4].
- Normalize Relations:
- Putin's visits are also meant to mend fences with the U.S. and restore diplomatic ties between the two nations, which have been strained since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This normalization is perceived as a crucial step towards resolving the Ukraine conflict[2][4].
- Possible Trump-Putin Summit:
- There's a chance of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin, with Saudi Arabia potentially hosting such a gathering. This meeting could be a significant milestone in the diplomatic efforts to settle the Ukraine conflict[1][4].
- Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Push:
- Saudi Arabia is seeking to expand its diplomatic reach and exert political influence. By hosting high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Russia, the nation is aiming to strengthen its ties with the U.S. and assume a prominent role in international diplomacy[2][4].
- Russian Perspective on the ICC Warrant:
- Russia disavows the ICC's jurisdiction and considers the warrant against Putin to be void. This stance will likely impact the diplomatic strategy, as Putin might be unwilling to compromise on matters related to the ICC warrant[3].
- Mongolia's Place in the Picture:
- Despite the ICC warrant, Putin is also slated to journey to Mongolia for ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the joint victory by the Soviet and Mongolian armies against Japan. This visit serves to preserve diplomatic relations with countries that do not recognize the ICC's authority[2].
The ensuing sections offer a fresh take on Putin's visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, incorporating relevant data from enrichment sources.
Putin Ventures to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Despite ICC Warrant
Revised Article:
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has announced that he will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, despite an international arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Kremlin has confirmed that Putin will meet President Mohammed bin Sajed al-Nahjan in the UAE and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia to discuss several critical issues.
According to the Kremlin's spokesperson, Putin will visit the UAE to discuss cooperation between the two nations and to discuss the Middle East. Putin further plans to discuss the situation in Syria, a key issue in the Middle East, with President al-Nahjan, based on reports from RIA Novosti news agency.
Following his stay in the UAE, Putin will move on to Saudi Arabia, where he will engage in talks on trade, investment, and international politics with the Crown Prince. Additionally, Putin's trip to the UAE and Saudi Arabia will focus on oil production cuts agreed upon by the OPEC+ oil cartel, which both nations are part of.
It is essential to note that neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia is a member of the ICC, which means Putin will not be at risk of arrest during his visit. Furthermore, the potential meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is being explored, with Saudi Arabia being considered as a potential host for the summit.
In a recent development, it has been reported that Putin will also pay a visit to Mongolia to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the joint victory by the Soviet and Mongolian armies against Japan. This visit, similar to his visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, serves to maintain diplomatic relations with nations that do not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction.
Enrichment Insights
Putin's visits to the UAE and Saudi Arabia have multiple strategic and diplomatic motivations. The following points outline the reasoning behind his visits:
- End the War in Ukraine:
- Putin aims to negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict via these meetings. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Riyadh to lay the groundwork for diplomatic ties and discussions on the Ukraine situation[2][4].
- Normalize Relations:
- Putin's visits are also meant to mend fences with the U.S. and restore diplomatic ties between the two nations, which have been strained since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This normalization is perceived as a crucial step towards resolving the Ukraine conflict[2][4].
- Possible Trump-Putin Summit:
- There's a chance of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin, with Saudi Arabia potentially hosting such a gathering. This meeting could be a significant milestone in the diplomatic efforts to settle the Ukraine conflict[1][4].
- Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Push:
- Saudi Arabia is seeking to expand its diplomatic reach and exert political influence. By hosting high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Russia, the nation is aiming to strengthen its ties with the U.S. and assume a prominent role in international diplomacy[2][4].
- Russian Perspective on the ICC Warrant:
- Russia disavows the ICC's jurisdiction and considers the warrant against Putin to be void. This stance will likely impact the diplomatic strategy, as Putin might be unwilling to compromise on matters related to the ICC warrant[3].
- Mongolia's Place in the Picture:
- Despite the ICC warrant, Putin is also slated to journey to Mongolia for ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the joint victory by the Soviet and Mongolian armies against Japan. This visit serves to preserve diplomatic relations with countries that do not recognize the ICC's authority[2].
These points demonstrate the strategic and diplomatic reasons behind Putin's visits to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, despite the ongoing ICC arrest warrant against him.