Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and is visiting the Middle East for the first time since the Ukraine war began on February 24 last year, has been welcomed like a king in the UAE, raising questions. Has the Russian President made a bang comeback in international politics?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been given a grand welcome in the UAE, with fighter jets, camel cavalry and a 21-gun salute. During his great welcome, the Russian President, facing sanctions imposed by Western countries, was accompanied by Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, Su-35s, and Russian fighter planes, which were seen in the skies of Abu Dhabi, showing the colours of the Russian flag.
The Russian President’s Middle East tour began on December 6. When he landed in Abu Dhabi, the Kremlin released footage showing top UAE leaders escorting Putin’s car to the meeting venue. He held bilateral talks in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. After this, Putin visited Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to the Kremlin, the discussions in Saudi Arabia are expected to cover topics such as oil, Gaza and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
WATCH- Russian President #VladimirPutin gets a grand welcome in the UAE with a 21-gun salute and a stunning flypast by Al Fursan.#UAE #COP28UAE #Putin
VIDEO- Kremlin pic.twitter.com/qbIOIAwG9P
— IndiaTV English (@indiatv) December 7, 2023
Putin’s Middle East Visit, Message To The West?
President Putin’s latest trip to the Middle East comes nearly two months after he landed in China’s national capital, Beijing, where he met with his “friend” Xi Jinping. President Putin signed several MoUs related to defence and trade during their discussions.
Putin’s visit assumes significance amid the fact that the West has been making sustained efforts to isolate Russia and President Putin as part of punitive measures for launching a brutal war against Ukraine in February last year. Furthermore, many termed the grand welcome extended by the UAE as a clear message to the Biden administration amid the fact that it is providing aid in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Russian President Putin welcomed by the President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.#Putin pic.twitter.com/Mp1Nt1rMFY
— IndiaTV English (@indiatv) December 7, 2023
In addition, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are facing pressure from Muslim countries demanding the West withdraw its support for Israel and blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza.
