Putin Strengthens Ties in Middle East Amid Ukraine Support Uncertainty

As Russia bolsters its diplomatic clout in the Middle East, Ukraine's support wavers amid funding disputes and Hungary's opposition to its EU accession talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is making a rare trip abroad to meet with allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on increasing bilateral cooperation and the war between Israel and Hamas.
Ukraine's support is on shaky ground amid wrangling over future funding, particularly in the U.S., with concerns that if Ukraine does not receive more aid, it will not be able to continue fighting Russia's invasion.
Hungary's ruling party has submitted a resolution opposing Ukraine's EU accession talks, adding pressure on Brussels ahead of a crucial summit next week.
Putin's visit to the Middle East is seen as a reassertion of Russia's diplomatic clout in the region, with Moscow being allies with regional arch-rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as surrounding countries such as Syria, Iraq, the UAE and Qatar.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has criticized Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, agreeing with the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny that the war has reached a stalemate.