Putin, Raisi Discuss Israel-Hamas Conflict in Moscow Meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow, exchanging views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and exploring Russias potential role as a mediator. Raisi stressed the urgency of ending the Gaza Strip bombardment, while Putin highlighted the importance of regional stability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow on Thursday, December 7, as part of a series of diplomatic visits to the Middle East. Putin's diplomatic tour included stops in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, aiming to elevate Moscow's influence as a regional power broker.

Putin's Mediation Efforts in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

Putin has positioned the recent Israel-Hamas conflict as a failure of US diplomacy and suggested that Moscow could play a mediating role due to its friendly relations with both Israel and the Palestinians. During his meeting with Raisi, Putin emphasized the importance of exchanging views on the regional situation, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue.

Raisi Calls for an End to Israeli Bombardment of Gaza

President Raisi stressed the urgent need to halt the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation with a child's life lost every 10 minutes. He emphasized that the conflict extends beyond a regional issue and requires a swift resolution.

Iran's Support for Hamas and Concerns over Ballistic Missiles

Iran, a staunch supporter of Hamas, has repeatedly warned that the ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, could escalate and spread to other parts of the region. Following their previous meeting in Tehran in July 2022, where Putin received strong support for his actions in Ukraine, the Russian leader's ties with Iran have deepened. Russia has secured supplies of Iranian exploding drones, which have been extensively used in attacks on Ukraine. Recent concerns have emerged that Tehran may also provide Moscow with ballistic missiles for use against Ukraine.

Putin's Discussions with UAE and Saudi Arabia

Prior to his meeting with Raisi, Putin held talks with leaders in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, key players in international efforts to negotiate a settlement in the Gaza Strip conflict. Putin shares close personal ties with both UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Despite their close alliance with the United States, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have developed strong business ties with Russia.

Putin's Meeting with Oman's Crown Prince

Before hosting Raisi, Putin also met with Oman's Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham, discussing potential cooperation in the energy and tourism sectors.

Putin's Limited Foreign Travel and International Criminal Court Warrant

Putin's foreign travel has been limited since the invasion of Ukraine, with recent trips to China and former Soviet nations. He faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role in the war in Ukraine. Notably, neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the ICC founding treaty, exempting them from any obligation to detain Putin based on the warrant.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including his meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, underscore Moscow's ambitions to assert its influence as a regional power broker. While Putin seeks to mediate in the Israel-Hamas conflict and strengthen ties with Iran, concerns arise regarding the potential supply of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. Putin's limited foreign travel and the ICC warrant add further complexity to his international engagements.