Putin's Journey to the Emirates and Saudi Arabia With None of the Usual Drama
Putin, that fearless leader, set off on a rare international adventure, heading to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. This jaunt marked his third trip outside of former Soviet Union territory since the Ukraine conflict began––and he only ventured to friendly lands so far, like Iran and China.
First up was Abu Dhabi, where Putin was given a grand welcome. The presidential palace saw the presence of numerous soldiers, and the sky filtered in Russian flag hues, thanks to planes showering smoke. Cannon fire echoed nearby, all to honor the special guest.
Putin commended the strong economic ties between the UAE and Russia. Their partnership, he said, reached new heights. He communicated his intentions to discuss the complexities arising in 'hot zones', hinting at the Middle East conflict and the Ukraine situation.
His next destination was Riyadh, where he was to discuss trade, investment, and global politics. The Saudi Arabian crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, was among the scheduled meetings. However, the Kremlin didn't reveal much other than the oil production cuts agreed upon by the OPEC+ oil cartel being part of Putin's agenda.
The dubious International Criminal Court (ICC) warranted for Putin's arrest in March for Ukrainian children abductions didn't hinder this trip. Neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia is signed up with the ICC, ensuring Putin's freedom from arrest.
Relevant Insights:
- Putin's international visits have been limited to 'friendly' nations, with no travel to adversarial states.
- The global relationship between the UAE and Russia has been characterized by robust trade relations.
- The earlier ICC warrant didn't affect Putin's voyages to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Putin’s Journey to the Emirates and Saudi Arabia Without the ICC Looming Overhead
Despite the controversial ICC warrant that could potentially implicate him in the abduction of Ukrainian children, Putin embarked on his journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. In this trip, Putin would only venture into territories that held friendly relations with him, such as Iran and China.
Landing in Abu Dhabi, Putin was greeted by a grand spectacle. Soldiers lined the presidential palace, with planes tracing the Russian flag colors in the sky, and the sound of cannon fire echoing around. Putin acknowledged the warm relationship between the UAE and Russia, praising the significant trade between the two nations. He expressed intentions to discuss problems in 'hot zones' with the UAE, as he encompassed the Middle East conflict and the Ukraine situation.
In Riyadh, Putin was scheduled to discuss trade, investment, and worldwide politics, with the Saudi Arabian crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, part of his agenda. OPEC+ oil cartel's production cuts were also on the list, but Putin's eagerly anticipated UN Climate Change Conference visit remained undisclosed.
Several weeks prior to this adventure, speculation revolved around Putin possibly attending the summit in Dubai. Yet, the Kremlin refused to provide any confirmation. The diplomatic route touching Qatar, Oman, and other Gulf states in the region was similarly hushed up.
One of Putin's primary objectives in this trip was to foster alliances and secure partnerships with various regional powers. The tense relationship between Russia and the Western world has been largely disturbed due to the Ukraine situation, but this expedition demonstrated Putin's ongoing attempts to build strategic bonds in areas unrelated to the conflict.
Relevant Insights:
- Putin's close association with Iran and China was reflective of his preference for friendly relations and open markets.
- During his Middle East journey, Putin's main agenda was to discuss matters related to trade, investment, and international politics.
- The ICC warrant for war crimes wasn't a factor in Putin's agenda while embarking on his trip to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
