Putin Strengthens Ties with Middle East Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian president's diplomatic tour aims to bolster financial partnerships, despite facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, visiting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and hosting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow.
Putin's visit aims to strengthen Russia's financial partnerships with these oil-producing states, which have remained neutral in the Ukrainian conflict and are not applying the sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Putin's meeting with Raisi follows their talks in Tehran in July 2022, where the Russian leader received strong support for his action in Ukraine.
Putin's talks with Raisi come a day after the Russian leader discussed the hostilities in the Gaza Strip during his trip to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the key participants in international efforts to negotiate a settlement.
Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the war in Ukraine, limiting his foreign travel to countries that have not ratified the ICC founding treaty.