Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked on a swift tour, visiting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, aiming to bolster Moscow’s influence as a Middle East mediator amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Putin’s arrival in Abu Dhabi marked his first visit to the region since before the pandemic and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
During talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Putin proposed discussions on energy collaboration, Middle East conflicts, and the “Ukrainian crisis.”
Despite an International Criminal Court warrant related to the Ukraine war, neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia, both non-signatories to the ICC treaty, are obligated to detain Putin.
His visit follows limited international travel since the invasion, with a notable absence at a South African summit amid arrest speculations.
The UAE’s foreign minister greeted Putin upon arrival, accompanied by four Su-35 fighter jets escorting the presidential plane from Russia to Abu Dhabi.
