On Wednesday, Putin made a galloping visit to two important countries in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The reason why this time it became a "Middle East show" is not that Putin suddenly became interested in the Middle East, but that he was invited by Saudi Arabia. Although the practical meaning may be limited, this time the symbolism is far beyond the ordinary.
There are plans for cooperation between Russia and Saudi Arabia in the oil sector, while both sides want to promote a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict in regional affairs. Putin's trip to the Middle East, however, appears to reflect more Saudi expectations than Russia and Putin's desire for independence.
Putin's trip to the Middle East began with the United Arab Emirates as the first stop, and his ** special plane Il-96 landed in Abu Dhabi under the escort of four Su-35S. These four Su-35S fighters are equipped with R-77 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, and considering the current complex situation in the Middle East and the unresolved conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia's security must not be taken lightly.
The grand welcome scene of the UAE, even Biden has to envy it. The aerobatic formations sprayed colorful smoke, and the camel and horse teams on the side of the road gave the highest standard of greeting etiquette.
At the time of the blockade of Russia by the West, Putin received such a high-profile reception in the Middle East undoubtedly highlights the limitations of the West's containment of Russia. The countries of the Middle East, with their similar economic structure to Russia, have always taken a neutral position. Putin's high-level reception in the Middle East means that these countries have chosen to maintain equal relations with Russia in the face of geopolitics.
After leaving the United Arab Emirates, Putin flew directly to Saudi Arabia and once again staged a "fierce handshake" with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. This episode, which attracted attention at the G20 summit in Argentina in 2018, has now resurfaced and attracted widespread attention from the West. This may be an expression of Saudi dissatisfaction with the United States, but also a counterweight to the close alliance between the United States and Israel.
This visit is undoubtedly a day for Putin to raise his eyebrows. First, Saudi Arabia's role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is relatively limited. In fact, Qatar was the key enabler of a short-term ceasefire between the two sides in the Middle East. In terms of regional influence, Iran still plays a more important role in the Middle East than Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia urgently needs to create some movement to maintain its position as the first brother in the Middle East, and the introduction of Russian power to balance the current US-Israel alliance and enhance Saudi Arabia's regional influence has become Riyadh's top priority.
Second, it is winter, and the energy market has entered a "seller's market". Russia's gas flows to Europe continue, and even if the EU has money, it has not been able to stop Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine. Relations between Russia and the EU are relatively détente at the moment, and a large-scale Russian offensive on the territory of Ukraine is not on the agenda. It can be seen from this that Russia is willing to maintain stable energy relations with the EU and avoid unnecessary confrontation.
In addition, Putin's actions in the Middle East are a direct response to U.S. sanctions, while declaring to the world that Saudi Arabia is not the only friend of the United States. The long-term U.S. aid to Ukraine has led to the European Union, and the difficult situation of the U.S. in Ukraine and Gaza has also caused domestic discontent. Russia's trip to the Middle East at this time means that Russia has become a key party in global affairs, and Saudi Arabia is also expressing its dissatisfaction with the United States. The problems facing the entire Western world are becoming more and more complex, and Putin's diplomatic moves have made Russia proud of this international game.
Finally, under the current international situation, it is difficult to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The United States is bogged down under the pressure of two wars, while the divisions within the European Union over Ukraine are even sharper. Against this backdrop, Russia's emergence in the Middle East has sent a new message to the world: Russia will play a more important role in international affairs, and Saudi Arabia is looking forward to it.
Overall, this is destined to be Putin's most swaggering day in 2023. This trip to the Middle East has not only enhanced Russia's status in international affairs, but also injected new impetus into the stability and prosperity of the Middle East region. Putin's diplomatic moves demonstrate Russia's self-confidence and ambition, but also bring more uncertainty to the global landscape. With Putin's return, we are looking forward to the future of international affairs, and the Middle East will usher in new changes as a result of this visit.
4 Su-35S fighters escorted Putin on his visit