SAEDNEWS: Over the past decade, the Middle East has witnessed Vladimir Putin’s dramatic return to the global political stage, yet analysts say most Arab leaders have shown little interest in dialogue, geopolitical engagement, or Moscow’s mediation.
According to Saed News’ political service, after months of preparation for the “Russia-Arab World” summit—intended to address regional security, energy relations, and demonstrate Moscow’s ongoing influence in the Middle East—the Kremlin abruptly postponed the meeting. The official reason cited was “contradictory positions and strong unwillingness among Arab leaders, including those in North Africa.”
The summit was meant to be a decisive opportunity to advance agreements concerning the Gaza Strip—negotiations pursued by Russia’s close allies, Egypt and Qatar. It was also expected to address broader aspects of the Palestinian issue, explore ways to halt bloodshed, and outline paths to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
However, the majority of Arab countries showed little interest in attending a Russia-hosted meeting. On October 13, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Arab media at a press conference: “Due to widespread reluctance to participate, President Vladimir Putin agreed with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shudani and the Arab League Secretary-General to postpone the summit.”
Lavrov added that “the final documents are nearly ready, so there will still be opportunities to hold the summit in the future.” He emphasized that Russia’s relations with Arab countries “are progressing, and the Arab League continues to demonstrate its value and role as a key pillar of the emerging multipolar order—an institution increasingly active in global affairs, from economic and financial matters to regional and political issues.”
Lavrov also noted that trade between Russia and Arab League members has now surpassed $34 billion. While this remains lower than Arab trade with the United States or China, it is several times higher than two decades ago and continues to grow. Arab partners have shown increasing interest in agricultural cooperation, including imports of Russian food products and fertilizers. Culturally, Russia has long maintained extensive educational and academic ties with Arab countries, dating back to the Soviet era, while bilateral tourism continues to expand.
Reports indicate the Kremlin postponed the summit because only a few leaders, including Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, had confirmed their attendance. Over the past decade, the Middle East has been a stage for Vladimir Putin’s high-profile return to global politics, but analysts say most Arab leaders have shown limited interest in dialogue, geopolitical engagement, or Russian mediation.
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, stated in mid-October: “Russia’s principled position is naturally to support a comprehensive Middle East solution based on internationally recognized law—a solution ensuring lasting peace for all nations in the region.” Putin congratulated Donald Trump for his “successful efforts to normalize conditions in Gaza,” a move reportedly “widely appreciated” in the Middle East, the U.S., and many countries worldwide.
Hanna Knut, a Russian foreign policy expert in Berlin, noted that while recent Middle East developments and the growing importance of peace have captured Moscow’s attention, “Russia’s diplomatic role in the Middle East has declined due to the Ukraine war. In major regional developments, key players rarely look to Moscow anymore.”
Despite this, geopolitical realities mean the Middle East and North Africa continue to face complex challenges and an uncertain future. Lavrov, during talks with his Moroccan counterpart, reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to cooperate with other countries interested in addressing regional issues. He emphasized that “this approach continues Russia’s engagement with the Arab League. Regarding Israel and Palestine, Moscow hopes that agreements on Gaza—mediated by Egypt, Qatar, the U.S., and Turkey—will be fully and precisely implemented within existing international legal frameworks.”
On September 29, the White House released a comprehensive plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the Gaza crisis. The 20-point document proposed measures including the establishment of a “temporary international administration” for Gaza and the deployment of “international stabilization forces.” On October 9, Trump announced that Israeli and Hamas representatives had agreed on the first step of this peace plan, including the release of all hostages and Israeli troop withdrawals to agreed lines within Gaza.
Despite years of Kremlin efforts to maintain close ties with Arab countries, Putin canceled the “Russia-Arab World” summit on October 10—a clear sign of declining Russian influence in the Middle East. Nonetheless, Moscow continues to strengthen traditional ties in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13 made significant progress on Gaza, raising hopes that agreements mediated by Egypt, Qatar, the U.S., and Turkey will be fully implemented without interruption. Priorities include ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and addressing widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Moreover, implementing UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions could pave the way for lasting peace across the Middle East—a goal Moscow views as essential for long-term stability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader region.
