Putin Arrives in Abu Dhabi During Middle East Tour

Russian President Vladimir Putin has embarked on a significant journey to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates amidst his ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. His arrival in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates and the current host of the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks, marks his first visit to the region since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the start of the war in Ukraine. This visit occurs against the backdrop of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over war-related charges in Ukraine.

Interestingly, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are not signatories to the ICC founding treaty, which means they are under no obligation to detain Putin based on the warrant that accuses him of the abduction of children from Ukraine during the war. Putin had previously avoided a summit in South Africa due to concerns about possible arrest.

Upon arrival, Putin was greeted by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s foreign minister. His meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of the UAE, at the Qasr al-Watan palace was marked with pageantry, including a military acrobatics team displaying the Russian flag colors and a ceremonial welcome with soldiers, horses, and camels.

Four Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets escorted Putin’s plane to the Emirates. This display of military might alongside the warm reception highlights the strong business ties between the UAE and Russia, which have grown despite Western sanctions against Moscow.

However, Ukrainians present at the COP28 summit expressed dismay at Putin’s presence, criticizing the apparent acceptance of a figure they view as a war criminal. Marharyta Bohdanova, a Ukrainian pavilion worker at the summit, expressed her frustration at this situation.

Meanwhile, U.S. representatives, including climate envoy John Kerry and USAID administrator Samantha Power, emphasized their support for Ukraine by visiting its pavilion at the summit.

Putin’s last visit to the UAE in 2019 was well-received, but since then, global dynamics have shifted dramatically, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and regional tensions, including threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Iran’s nuclear advancements, remain critical issues.

Putin is scheduled to meet with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and discuss strategies to circumvent Western sanctions. He will also visit Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on oil-related concerns. The discussions are timely, considering OPEC+’s recent decisions on oil production and pricing in the context of a fluctuating global economy.

This visit follows appearances by various Western leaders at COP28, who have shown support for Ukraine. The visit’s impact and Putin’s potential appearance at the climate summit are subjects of speculation, with the U.N. and the Emirati organization committee for COP28 providing limited information on the specifics of his participation.