Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking on a rare international journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is also slated to visit Saudi Arabia. This trip marks a significant departure for Putin, who has remained largely within Russia since March, following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
During his visit to the UAE, Putin is expected to engage in discussions with the UAE President on critical issues such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as matters related to oil production. Notably, the UAE is currently hosting the COP28 UN climate summit, but it remains uncertain whether Putin will participate.
The ICC has accused Putin of war crimes, specifically the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. However, neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC. Putin’s absence from recent international summits, including Brics in South Africa and the G20 summit in India, has been conspicuous.
Trade and oil are anticipated to top the agenda in discussions with the UAE, described in a Kremlin statement as “Russia’s main economic partner in the Arab world.” Putin’s visit to Saudi Arabia later in the week will involve meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with a focus on exploring ways to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan will also feature in discussions during Putin’s visits to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as outlined by Russian presidential assistant Yuri Ushakov. Additionally, the Kremlin has announced Putin’s meeting with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi on Thursday to address the war in Gaza.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin’s international visits have been limited to Russian-occupied Ukraine, Iran, and China. These trips come at a time when Russia aims to project influence globally and counter efforts by the West to isolate the country. Putin emphasized to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that “our relations have reached unprecedented levels,” underscoring the significance of these diplomatic engagements.