Putin's visit to the Middle East and his 24-hour visit to two "Sunni" countries and one "Shia" power shows Russia's careful geopolitical planning.
After the outbreak of the "Russia-Ukraine conflict", Putin rarely visited abroad, mainly because the sanctions imposed by the United States and the West restricted Russia's diplomatic activities, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague issued a "wanted warrant", which prevented Putin from traveling to many countries. But after attending the Belt and Road International Summit, Putin realized that he had to take the initiative and open a new chapter in Russian diplomacy.
On December 6, Putin visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and on December 7, he met with Iran** at the Moscow Kremlin. Bloomberg reports that this shows that Western countries have not succeeded in isolating Putin in the international arena.
The visit comes at a time when Russia's economy is strengthening, Ukraine is at a standoff, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is escalating, and the Middle East is facing greater changes, and it is also Putin's "most risky visit". Previously, Putin visited Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, all of which are friendly friends of Russia.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are allies of the United States, and both countries have military bases for the United States. In addition, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March, making the visit more dangerous. However, the Russian side has responded to this challenge.
It is worth mentioning that Putin's trip highlights his active posture in the international political arena and his ability to respond to complex situations. In the face of the potential threat of the US military, the Russian Air Force No. 1 special plane was escorted by four Su-35S fighters, which shows Putin's importance and ambition for the Middle East region.
Although this "flash visit" is fraught with risks, Putin has sent an important message to Europe, the United States and Western countries: Russia will regain its position in global politics. This trip to the Middle East was considered a fatal blow to US oil hegemony.
Russia has always maintained friendly relations with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, especially on the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the OPEC oil production limit, and Russia has a high degree of agreement with these two countries, which undoubtedly brings anxiety to the United States.
The recent Israeli violence against the Palestinian Gaza Strip has aroused strong opposition from countries in the Middle East and the international community, which has also provided a favorable background for Russia's diplomatic layout in the Middle East. In addition, oil producers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia announced oil production cuts, which to some extent reflect the common position of Russia and OPEC members on energy issues.
These are signs that the United States may be further weakened in the Middle East, and that Russia seems ready to end the conflict with Ukraine and is showing strong determination to build a new international order. Putin's close contacts with Arab countries indicate that the pattern of the Middle East may usher in an era of change.
Of the three things that are likely to happen in the future, Russia's role will be crucial. It is difficult for the United States and Europe to agree on aid to Ukraine, so the opportunity for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has reached a critical juncture. This could lead to direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to resolve the issue.
On the other hand, Israel has gone beyond the scope of US support, and with the joint appeal of the international community, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is expected to gradually subside, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the future may become a reality. In addition, Russia's cooperation with the Middle East will further strengthen its control over the oil market, which may lead to the gradual loss of voice of the United States and the West in the energy sector.