Russian President recently travelled to the Middle East. The trip points to the underlying significance that it bears in view of the existing global politics. With the Western powers led by the USA actively engaged in the Middle Eastern region, this trip implies the brewing tension and a likely divergence in the geopolitical dynamics. Putin has called the Israeli -Palestine conflict as a breakdown of United States diplomacy. His visit to the Middle East is also an indication that Western efforts to isolate Moscow through sanctions over the Ukraine conflict have fallen flat.
The day-long tour to the region by President Vladimir Putin took him to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. On the occasion, the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called Putin as his “dear friend” and showed pleasure on their meeting. Afterwards, Sheikh Mohammed summed up their discussions and underscored the importance of dialogue and collaboration for promoting stability and progress. Most importantly, the visit has come up at a time when the nasty turn — the Israel-Palestine conflict has taken — is refusing to reverse.
Later, Putin stated “Our relations, largely thanks to your stance, have reached an unprecedentedly high level,” and called the UAE as Russia’s chief trading partner from the region. Pertinently, this important meeting is in line with Russia’s endeavor to expand her sphere of influence in the Middle East in consideration of oil cooperation and discussions concerning the Israel-Hamas clash. The two leaders talked over bilateral collaboration in the energy sector and advancements in technology, an indication that the two countries are inching closer.
It is noteworthy that between 2017 and 2022, the trade level between Russia and the UAE increased about six times. And 2022 saw their trade rising by around 68% to make it US$9 billion. This Arab state is Russia’s 12th most important trading partner and holds the top position among Middle Eastern countries. Making 55% of Russia’s total trade with the Persian Gulf and 90% within the Region, the UAE plays an all-important part in the overall trade. Russia’s mainly exports diamonds; the precious stones and gold formed mostly 40% of Russia’s total exports to the UAE in 2022. Meanwhile inspite of being a significant oil producer, the UAE imported around 3.2 million barrels of Russian oil in 2022 to re-export it to other nations.
The Russian leader then arrived in Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. And on Russian television, Putin extended gratitude to the crown prince for inviting him; at first, the plan was for MBS to visit Moscow but that underwent a change. The president looked forward to their next meeting in Moscow, pointing out that nothing would bar the progress of their cordial relations. Putin’s meeting with the crown prince occurred in the context of a decline in oil prices. The OPEC+ (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and its allies, including Russia, pledging to further curtail output notwithstanding.
Year 2022 saw a 70% rise in Russian beef exports and a 98% surge in poultry meat exports to Saudi Arabia in comparison to 2021. Russia also exports flour, rice flour corn, milk powder and confectionery. This positive trend went on into 2023. The volume of agricultural and food product exports between Russia and Saudi Arabia rose twice from January to April. Interestingly, the Ukraine war and the resultant sanctions on Russia account for the increased demand from Saudi Arabia for Russian fertilizers for both domestic use and re-export. Similarly, their oil trade has picked up. Throughout 2022, Moscow raised the supply of diesel and fuel oil by US$250 million. As a major oil producer, Saudi Arabia purchases oil products from Russia at a discounted rate and re-exports this oil to global markets. In April 2023, Saudi Arabia imported 330,000 barrels per day of oil from Russia and in June, the Kingdom set a record by importing 910,000 metric tons of oil for fuel.
And during his meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow on December 7, 2023, President Putin implied that Moscow was likely to meditate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Raisi underlined “What is happening in Palestine and Gaza is, of course, genocide and a crime against humanity.” “It’s not just a regional issue; it’s an issue for the entire humankind”. He added that “it’s necessary to find a quick solution.” This is an interesting turn of events in the Arab region and if at all it ends up in resolving the Israeli-Palestine crisis, remains to be seen. Notably, an increase in Russian footprint in the region may give sleepless nights to the US.
Since Russian perspective aligns with that of the Middle East, particularly over the issue of Gaza, the region could potentially gain a source of support and collaboration from this superpower. In view of that development, Moscow might champion the challenges and interests of the Middle East on the international platforms. For Russia and the Middle East, their current bonhomie can act as a stage enabling them to jointly address their shared concerns and seek each other’s cooperation on the matters both see important for their nations.
Moreover from this high profile trip by Putin, it may be assumed that Moscow does not bother about the Western sanctions, hinting at the country’s ability to establish alliances in various regions and therefore undo the impact of sanctions. Obviously, these diplomatic efforts could be seen as Russia’s go at pursuing global geopolitics beyond the Western-led order.
Although nothing can be predicted concerning the direction these diplomatic endeavors may take, yet the effects should in all likelihood impact the regional alliances and reshape the geopolitical scenario. The unpredictability in the actions of global powers often makes the situation dramatic and uncertain. And which way the wind is going to blow? Time will tell.
(Author is RK columnist and teacher by profession. Email: [email protected])
