Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked upon a significant visit to the Middle East, marking his first trip to the region since the invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago. During his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Putin praised the robust relationship between the two countries, emphasizing the UAE's role as Russia's primary trading partner in the Arab world.

Meeting with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, the Russian leader commended the cooperation between Russia and the UAE, describing their ties as being at an all-time high. Putin's visit to the UAE aimed to strengthen bilateral relations as Moscow continues to foster close alliances with Gulf states amidst ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

The Russian President is scheduled to further solidify regional ties by visiting Riyadh, where he will meet Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Putin's visit to the Gulf states comes at a crucial time, as it allows Moscow to showcase its strong partnerships while conflicts persist in neighboring regions.

The trip holds particular significance as it represents a rare foreign visit for Putin since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes committed in Ukraine. Notably, the UAE and Saudi Arabia's non-ratification of the ICC's Rome Statute exempt them from the obligation to arrest the Russian President, which has posed significant restrictions on Putin's international travel.

Putin's arrival in Abu Dhabi saw him greeted with a grand ceremony at the Qasr al-Watan Palace. Escorting him to the palace entrance, a cavalry display added to the diplomatic pomp and circumstance. The palace played the national anthems of both countries, setting a ceremonious tone for discussions between the leaders.

Highlighting the historical ties between Russia and the UAE, Putin noted that the Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognize the UAE as a sovereign state in 1971. The leaders of both nations discussed an array of topics during their meeting, including oil, trade, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Following his visit to the UAE, Putin is set to travel to Riyadh, where he will engage with Saudi Arabia, Russia's main partner in OPEC+. As a member since 2016, Russia's admission to the group of major oil producers has further solidified its ties with the Gulf states.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have also assisted in facilitating recent prisoner swaps, evidencing the ongoing cooperation between the Gulf states and Russia. In the past, they played a role in the exchange of US basketball star Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout at Abu Dhabi airport.

As Putin embarked on his Middle East tour, US media reported that Washington had presented a new prisoner swap proposal to Moscow, aiming to secure the release of two US citizens, ex-Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from public comment on the matter.

Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned for 250 days, and Whelan, who is entering his fifth year of detention in Russia, highlight the complexity of international relations and ongoing challenges linked to detained individuals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the UAE underscores the strength of the relationship between the two nations while providing an opportunity for Moscow to cultivate ties with other Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia. The trip takes place against the backdrop of international scrutiny and pressure due to the ICC arrest warrant, further influencing Russia's diplomatic engagement in the region.