Putin visits Middle East on diplomacy tour

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, discussing energy cooperation, trade, and conflict in the Middle East. He congratulated UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on hosting the ongoing COP28 summit.

Why these two countries? The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest, but neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates have signed the ICC founding treaty, and thus have no obligation to arrest him. Both countries have also refused to join the West in imposing sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine early last year.

Dig deeper: Read William Inboden’s column in WORLD Opinions about how it’s prudent for the United States to support other countries fighting its opponents—including Russia.