Putin to visit UAE and Saudi Arabia
Russian media outlets reported on Monday that President Vladimir Putin is planning to visit the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this week. The visit is described as a working trip, and during his time in these countries, he is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to Yuri Ushakov, a presidential aide quoted by the Shot Telegram channel, Putin’s negotiations will primarily focus on discussions with the Saudi crown prince. Ushakov expressed hope that these talks would be highly beneficial and emphasized their significance. Later on, Kremlin spokesperson confirmed this trip that Putin will go this Wednesday.
Putin’s visit to Saudi Arabia follows his trip to the UAE, as mentioned by the Shot Telegram channel. The visit is occurring at a time when Russia aims to strengthen its role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict and challenge western narratives related to the war in Ukraine.
Amid multiple happenings
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March for war crimes, specifically accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. Due to this warrant, Putin refrained from attending a BRICS summit in South Africa to avoid potential arrest, given that the country is a signatory to the ICC’s treaty. Notably, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where Putin is now planning to visit, have not signed the ICC’s founding treaty, which means they are not obligated to arrest him.
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Putin has been cautious about international travel since Russia deployed troops in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin spokesperson stated that discussions during Putin’s upcoming visit would cover bilateral relations, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and international politics. However, it remains uncertain whether Putin will attend the COP28 Summit hosted by the UAE, which is currently ongoing.