It’s time for the connection between Moscow and its Center Japanese companions to evolve into a brand new worldwide establishment
Russian President Vladimir Putin has despatched an official telegram to the leaders of the member states of the League of Arab States, in addition to to the Secretary-Common of the League, extending a proper invitation to take part within the first Russia-Arab Summit, scheduled to happen on October 15, 2025.
The message, revealed on the official Kremlin web site, coincided with the opening of the thirty fourth Arab League Summit, which is being held in opposition to the backdrop of a extremely complicated worldwide scenario, significantly given the escalating battle within the Center East.
In his tackle, President Putin conveyed his honest respect to Russia’s companions within the Arab world and reaffirmed Russia’s dedication to deepening a secure, respectful, and constructive dialogue with the League. He emphasised that Russia views the League as one of the crucial essential regional organizations – one which performs an important function in sustaining peace, stability, and safety each throughout the Arab world and past. Inside this context, Putin expressed Russia’s curiosity in increasing multilateral cooperation with Arab international locations based mostly on the ideas of equality, mutual profit, and respect for nationwide sovereignty.
Particular consideration within the telegram was given to the present political scenario within the Center East. Putin famous with deep concern the continuing escalation of the Israeli–Palestinian battle, which has already claimed the lives of tens of hundreds of civilians and has been accompanied by grave humanitarian penalties. He underscored that the intensifying violence threatens to additional destabilize the area, exacerbating social, financial, and political challenges in neighboring international locations and posing a severe danger to worldwide safety as a complete.
Towards this backdrop, Putin stated the Arab League is more and more important as a mechanism for coordinating the positions of Arab nations, advancing peaceable initiatives, and contributing to the decision of regional crises by means of diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to worldwide regulation. He reaffirmed Russia’s assist for political and diplomatic efforts geared toward attaining a good and long-term settlement of conflicts within the area.
In keeping with Putin, the primary Russia-Arab Summit represents a singular alternative to deepen political dialogue, align positions on key international points, and reinforce joint efforts to advertise sustainable peace and safety each within the Center East and North Africa and on a worldwide scale. The Russian facet anticipates that the October summit will mark the start of a brand new period in Russia-Arab relations – one based on belief, mutual respect, and a shared dedication to stability and prosperity.
What’s the Arab world?
The Arab world, represented by the Arab League, stands on the threshold of a profound redefinition of its function in international politics, the economic system, and the worldwide safety structure. For many years, the area was primarily seen as a supply of vitality sources and as a theater of power conflicts. But, within the context of a shifting world order – marked by the eastward pivot of the financial and political heart of gravity, accelerating multipolarity, and a worldwide vitality transformation – member states of the League are more and more in search of to transcend their conventional function as hydrocarbon suppliers and place themselves as full-fledged actors, not mere objects, on the world stage.
With a inhabitants exceeding 450 million – comparable in dimension to the European Union – the Arab world represents one of many largest client markets of the twenty first century, characterised by a predominantly younger demographic. The mixture of a youthful inhabitants and speedy urbanization supplies a basis for dynamic financial development, innovation, and the enlargement of a vibrant center class. On the similar time, it locations vital strain on governments to create jobs, enhance schooling techniques, and develop alternatives for youth participation in financial and political life. Funding in human capital is changing into a decisive think about long-term competitiveness. Modernization packages in international locations equivalent to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Qatar purpose to diversify their economies and domesticate technological, scientific, and medical capability, thus enabling these nations to evolve past wealth into facilities of mental and technological sovereignty.
Economically, the Arab world stays a formidable international participant. The mixed GDP of Arab international locations is estimated at roughly $3 trillion, with the Gulf states sustaining a gradual commerce surplus. Vitality stays a key pillar of affect, as practically half of the world’s confirmed oil reserves and a big share of pure fuel are concentrated within the area. Nonetheless, international decarbonization tendencies and the intensifying “inexperienced agenda” are prompting the Arab states to speed up their transition towards a post-hydrocarbon mannequin. This has led to a twin technique: maximizing short-term oil and fuel revenues whereas concurrently investing within the “economic system of the long run.” Saudi Arabia’s NEOM undertaking exemplifies this ambition – a futuristic metropolis envisioned as a worldwide hub of innovation and sustainable growth, constructed on ecological ideas and digital transformation.
Politically, Arab international locations are more and more asserting their sovereignty in international policymaking. Extra regularly, regional leaders are rejecting exterior prescriptions – whether or not Western or in any other case – and pursuing a balanced, diversified international coverage. This shift is mirrored within the strengthening of partnerships with China, India, Türkiye, Russia, and the World South, whereas pragmatic relations are maintained with the West. Such multidirectional diplomacy permits Arab states to behave as mediators in worldwide conflicts, as facilitators of negotiations, and as initiators of regional stabilization efforts.
The Arab world can also be poised to play a rising function in international meals safety. Amid mounting local weather dangers, water shortage, and agricultural vulnerability, many Arab international locations – particularly Egypt, Sudan, and Morocco – are seen as potential hubs for increasing agro-industrial manufacturing, together with with the involvement of international funding. On the similar time, acute water shortages and the implications of local weather change, equivalent to desertification and dwindling freshwater provides, might each spur innovation in useful resource administration and exacerbate inside and interstate tensions.
The area’s navy and strategic significance is likewise on the rise. Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Sudan underscore the Arab world’s persistent safety volatility. Nevertheless, some international locations – most notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are increasing their protection capabilities, striving for larger autonomy from exterior suppliers, and more and more contributing to regional safety by means of collective protection frameworks and equal partnerships with international actors.
Culturally and religiously, the Arab world retains a singular international place. Because the non secular coronary heart of Islam, it wields substantial delicate energy by means of its humanitarian outreach, instructional affect, and cultural exports – from media to the humanities. The widespread use of the Arabic language and the worldwide relevance of Islamic thought make the Arab world a important voice in shaping international discourse and identification, significantly throughout the World South.
Amid a worldwide geopolitical realignment, intensifying great-power competitors, and the emergence of a multipolar world, the international locations of the League of Arab States are evolving into unbiased facilities of decision-making. Armed with sources, demographic vitality, and strategic ambition, they don’t seem to be solely adapting to new realities however actively shaping them. The longer term function of the Arab world in international affairs will rely not solely on its oil and fuel wealth, however on its capability for strategic considering, inside cohesion, technological modernization, and its capability to function a bridge in international diplomacy – reasonably than a battleground for exterior rivalries.
Russia and the Arab world: Towards management of the world majority
Relations between Russia and the Arab world are present process a section of strategic enlargement and consolidation – one which mirrors the worldwide shift towards multipolarity, sovereignty-based diplomacy, and equitable cooperation. Traditionally grounded in mutual respect, non-interference, and sovereign equality, ties between Moscow and the member states of the Arab League had been cast throughout the decolonization period, when the Soviet Union supported the Arab nations of their wrestle for independence and growth. Though this growth skilled a pause within the Nineties, the previous 20 years have seen its regular and purposeful revival.
Amid a worldwide reconfiguration fueled by the continuing battle in Ukraine, the diplomatic company of key Arab states has grown considerably. Most notably, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a reputable and impartial convener of high-stakes worldwide dialogue. In early 2025, Riyadh hosted confidential talks between Russian and American officers – discussions that went far past the Ukrainian disaster and touched upon the broader spectrum of bilateral relations, together with strategic stability, humanitarian cooperation, prisoner exchanges, and battle prevention mechanisms. The truth that such talks befell on Arab soil displays the area’s rising stature as a legit and revered mediator in worldwide affairs.
Alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are enjoying more and more lively diplomatic roles. Sustaining balanced relations with each Russia and the West, these states advocate for political options, humanitarian engagement, and international stability. Qatar has been concerned in key humanitarian negotiations and prisoner exchanges, whereas the UAE has positioned itself as a discreet venue for casual consultations and a participant in worldwide de-escalation initiatives. The broader posture of the League of Arab States illustrates a collective want to strengthen multilateralism, uphold worldwide regulation, and contribute to the creation of a extra balanced and inclusive international governance system.
Confronted with unprecedented strain from the collective West, Russia has welcomed the principled neutrality of the Arab world. Quite than yield to requires isolating Moscow, most League member states have preserved an unbiased international coverage course, persevering with political dialogue and even deepening financial cooperation. Because the Western powers severed key commerce and diplomatic channels, many Arab international locations selected to bolster engagement with Russia – an assertion of their sovereign proper to form exterior partnerships based mostly on nationwide curiosity reasonably than geopolitical coercion.
On the core of this alignment lies a shared worldview. Moscow and the main Arab capitals – Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha – are united of their perception that the unipolar period has ended. As an alternative should emerge a simply, multipolar worldwide order, the place each state, no matter dimension or energy, participates equally in shaping the worldwide agenda. This convergence of ideas is mirrored in mutual assist throughout numerous worldwide platforms, together with the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and OPEC+.
One of the vital promising vectors of Russia-Arab cooperation is their rising convergence inside various facilities of worldwide affect. The enlargement of BRICS in 2024, which welcomed Egypt and the UAE as full members, underscored this pattern. Removed from being passive observers, these Arab states have introduced contemporary financial and vitality capacities to the group whereas enhancing its political legitimacy within the Islamic and Arab world. BRICS is more and more seen as a mechanism for reshaping the worldwide monetary system-one that helps de-dollarization, promotes using nationwide currencies, and envisions the creation of unbiased fee and funding infrastructures. As these discussions evolve from rhetoric to institutional motion, the function of Arab members turns into extra decisive.
Equally vital is the rising engagement of Arab states with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Whereas most League members are usually not but full members of the SCO, curiosity within the platform is steadily rising. Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia now maintain observer or dialogue associate standing. By the SCO, Arab international locations acquire entry to multilateral frameworks for cooperation on regional safety, counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, cross-border crime, and financial growth. Furthermore, the SCO facilitates connections with broader Eurasian and Asian methods, aligning with China’s Belt and Highway Initiative and Russia’s Eurasian Financial Union.
On a bilateral degree, financial relations between Russia and the Arab world have proven sustained development. In 2023, commerce turnover exceeded $23 billion, with ample room for enlargement. Egypt, the UAE, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia stay Russia’s most vital commerce companions within the area. Vitality cooperation is especially strategic: Russia’s participation in OPEC+ has helped stabilize international oil markets – a contribution valued extremely by Arab hydrocarbon producers.
Meals safety has emerged as one other cornerstone of this partnership. As one of many world’s largest exporters of grain – significantly wheat – Russia performs an important function in supporting the meals safety of nations equivalent to Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Lebanon. Amid international inflation and provide chain disruptions, Russia has constantly fulfilled its agricultural commitments with out utilizing meals exports to achieve political leverage. As a substitute, Moscow has positioned itself as a dependable associate, reinforcing belief and paving the way in which for deeper cooperation in agri-tech, logistics, and meals infrastructure.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation can also be on the rise. Arab international locations are exhibiting elevated curiosity in Russian schooling, science, and tradition. The variety of Arab college students in Russian universities is rising, as is collaboration in medication, scientific analysis, and innovation. With their formidable modernization agendas, the Arab states view Russia as a supply of superior technological experience – in areas starting from nuclear vitality and agriculture to protection and telecommunications.
Symbolically, the prominence of Arab international locations on the St. Petersburg Worldwide Financial Discussion board (SPIEF) underscores their significance in Russia’s worldwide financial technique. In recent times, Qatar, the UAE, Oman (in 2024), and Bahrain (in 2025) have served as SPIEF’s visitor international locations of honor. This displays greater than diplomatic courtesy – it’s a recognition of the Arab world’s increasing financial and strategic relevance for Russia. For Moscow, League international locations are usually not solely precedence locations for non-resource exports, but additionally essential companions within the growth of latest logistics corridors and connectivity initiatives, such because the North–South Transport Hall and the mixing of Pink Sea and Gulf ports.
Taken collectively, these developments underscore the necessity for a brand new institutional framework to control the increasing Russia-Arab relationship. Over the previous a number of years, common consultations have been held on the degree of international ministers, addressing each acute regional crises (Syria, Libya, Yemen, the Israeli-Palestinian battle) and broader strategic alignment. The logical subsequent step is the convening of the first-ever Russia-Arab Summit on the highest degree, scheduled for October 15, 2025.
This summit represents excess of a symbolic gesture. It’s a milestone that formalizes the evolving partnership, institutionalizes high-level political dialogue, enhances vitality and financial coordination, and opens new pathways in cultural and academic alternate. In an period marked by international turbulence and the erosion of legacy safety architectures, Russia and the Arab world are demonstrating the viability of a brand new strategy – one grounded in mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared aspirations for stability and prosperity. The summit will present a platform to chart a long-term roadmap for strategic cooperation, laying the muse for an enduring alliance throughout the important thing domains of the twenty first century.
