Middle East and Russia expert Hanna Notte does not expect a quick peace solution in the Middle East. Because the multi-front war against Israel threatens to expand. And because Russia could thwart Western peace diplomacy in the region.
of Russia President Vladimir Putin has remained diplomatically reserved in the Middle East since the Gaza war broke out. He has now traveled to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates at short notice. What’s behind it? Does Russia want to come into play as a mediator?
No, otherwise Putin would have had to travel to Qatar and Egypt, because these are the most important mediators in the region. This trip was primarily about economic interests. The Emirates are Russia’s most important trading partner. Russia continues to coordinate with Saudi Arabia on oil production as part of the OPEC+ alliance, which remains extremely important for the Russian economy. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Putin didn’t talk to the Emir in Abu Dhabi or Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman about the Middle East conflict or Ukraine.
In Abu Dhabi, Putin was given a pompous reception with a relay of aviators and a guard of honor. Saudi Arabia is also sending a strong signal by hosting Russia’s president – despite the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him, despite Russia’s close alliance with Saudi Arabia’s arch-enemy Iran. Why do these states offer Putin a platform?
No Middle Eastern state has broken with Moscow or participated in Western sanctions against Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, not even Israel, an even closer ally of the United States than Saudi Arabia. Neither does NATO member Türkiye. There are several reasons for this. From the outset, there was an aversion in Saudi Arabia and the other Arab states to clearly taking sides against Russia because the West itself was blamed for this conflict. There is also the accusation of double standards because the West gives Ukraine more help and compassion than the suffering Palestinians or the people in Syria and Yemen – in other words, in the crisis countries that have been destabilizing the Middle East for a long time. But the most important point is that the entire region has had the impression for years that the Americans are increasingly saying goodbye to the Middle East – with negative consequences for the region’s security.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
