Russia and the Arab League can reshape the world together

Russia Today

23-05-2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent an official telegram to the leaders of the member states of the League of Arab States, as well as to the Secretary-General of the League, extending a formal invitation to participate in the first Russia-Arab Summit, scheduled to take place on October 15, 2025.
The message, published on the official Kremlin website, coincided with the opening of the 34th Arab League Summit, which is being held against the backdrop of a highly complex international situation, particularly given the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
In his address, President Putin conveyed his sincere respect to Russia's partners in the Arab world and reaffirmed Russia's commitment to deepening a stable, respectful, and constructive dialogue with the League. He emphasized that Russia views the League as one of the most important regional organizations – one that plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, stability, and security both within the Arab world and beyond. Within this context, Putin expressed Russia's interest in expanding multilateral cooperation with Arab countries based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and respect for national sovereignty.
Special attention in the telegram was given to the current political situation in the Middle East. Putin noted with deep concern the ongoing escalation of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which has already claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians and has been accompanied by grave humanitarian consequences. He underscored that the intensifying violence threatens to further destabilize the region, exacerbating social, economic, and political challenges in neighboring countries and posing a serious risk to international security as a whole.
Against this backdrop, Putin said the Arab League is increasingly vital as a mechanism for coordinating the positions of Arab nations, advancing peaceful initiatives, and contributing to the resolution of regional crises through diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international law. He reaffirmed Russia's support for political and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a fair and long-term settlement of conflicts in the region.
According to Putin, the first Russia-Arab Summit represents a unique opportunity to deepen political dialogue, align positions on key global issues, and reinforce joint efforts to promote sustainable peace and security both in the Middle East and North Africa and on a global scale. The Russian side anticipates that the October summit will mark the beginning of a new era in Russia-Arab relations – one founded on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to stability and prosperity.
The Arab world, represented by the Arab League, stands at the threshold of a profound redefinition of its role in global politics, the economy, and the international security architecture. For decades, the region was primarily viewed as a source of energy resources and as a theater of chronic conflicts. Yet, in the context of a shifting world order – marked by the eastward pivot of the economic and political center of gravity, accelerating multipolarity, and a global energy transformation – member states of the League are increasingly seeking to transcend their traditional role as hydrocarbon suppliers and position themselves as full-fledged actors, not mere objects, on the world stage.
With a population exceeding 450 million – comparable in size to the European Union – the Arab world represents one of the largest consumer markets of the 21st century, characterized by a predominantly young demographic. The combination of a youthful population and rapid urbanization provides a foundation for dynamic economic growth, innovation, and the expansion of a vibrant middle class. At the same time, it places significant pressure on governments to create jobs, improve education systems, and expand opportunities for youth participation in economic and political life. Investment in human capital is becoming a decisive factor in long-term competitiveness. Modernization programs in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Qatar aim to diversify their economies and cultivate technological, scientific, and medical capacity, thus enabling these nations to evolve beyond wealth into centers of intellectual and technological sovereignty.
Economically, the Arab world remains a formidable global player. The combined GDP of Arab countries is estimated at approximately $3 trillion, with the Gulf states maintaining a steady trade surplus. Energy remains a key pillar of influence, as nearly half of the world's proven oil reserves and a significant share of natural gas are concentrated in the region. Nevertheless, global decarbonization trends and the intensifying 'green agenda' are prompting the Arab states to accelerate their transition toward a post-hydrocarbon model. This has led to a dual strategy: maximizing short-term oil and gas revenues while simultaneously investing in the 'economy of the future.' Saudi Arabia's NEOM project exemplifies this ambition – a futuristic metropolis envisioned as a global hub of innovation and sustainable development, built on ecological principles and digital transformation.
Politically, Arab countries are increasingly asserting their sovereignty in foreign policymaking. More frequently, regional leaders are rejecting external prescriptions – whether Western or otherwise – and pursuing a balanced, diversified foreign policy. This shift is reflected in the strengthening of partnerships with China, India, Türkiye, Russia, and the Global South, while pragmatic relations are maintained with the West. Such multidirectional diplomacy enables Arab states to act as mediators in international conflicts, as facilitators of negotiations, and as initiators of regional stabilization efforts.
The Arab world is also poised to play a growing role in global food security. Amid mounting climate risks, water scarcity, and agricultural vulnerability, many Arab countries – especially Egypt, Sudan, and Morocco – are seen as potential hubs for expanding agro-industrial production, including with the involvement of foreign investment. At the same time, acute water shortages and the consequences of climate change, such as desertification and dwindling freshwater supplies, could both spur innovation in resource management and exacerbate internal and interstate tensions.
The region's military and strategic significance is likewise on the rise. Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Sudan underscore the Arab world's persistent security volatility. However, some countries – most notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are expanding their defense capabilities, striving for greater autonomy from external suppliers, and increasingly contributing to regional security through collective defense frameworks and equal partnerships with global actors.
Culturally and religiously, the Arab world retains a unique global position. As the spiritual heart of Islam, it wields substantial soft power through its humanitarian outreach, educational influence, and cultural exports – from media to the arts. The widespread use of the Arabic language and the global relevance of Islamic thought make the Arab world a critical voice in shaping global discourse and identity, particularly across the Global South.
Amid a global geopolitical realignment, intensifying great-power competition, and the emergence of a multipolar world, the countries of the League of Arab States are evolving into independent centers of decision-making. Armed with resources, demographic vitality, and strategic ambition, they are not only adapting to new realities but actively shaping them. The future role of the Arab world in global affairs will depend not solely on its oil and gas wealth, but on its capacity for strategic thinking, internal cohesion, technological modernization, and its ability to serve as a bridge in global diplomacy – rather than a battleground for external rivalries.
Relations between Russia and the Arab world are undergoing a phase of strategic expansion and consolidation – one that mirrors the global shift toward multipolarity, sovereignty-based diplomacy, and equitable cooperation. Historically grounded in mutual respect, non-interference, and sovereign equality, ties between Moscow and the member states of the Arab League were forged during the decolonization era, when the Soviet Union supported the Arab nations in their struggle for independence and development. Although this development experienced a pause in the 1990s, the past two decades have seen its steady and purposeful revival.
Amid a global reconfiguration fueled by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the diplomatic agency of key Arab states has grown significantly. Most notably, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a credible and neutral convener of high-stakes international dialogue. In early 2025, Riyadh hosted confidential talks between Russian and American officials – discussions that went far beyond the Ukrainian crisis and touched upon the broader spectrum of bilateral relations, including strategic stability, humanitarian cooperation, prisoner exchanges, and conflict prevention mechanisms. The fact that such talks took place on Arab soil reflects the region's rising stature as a legitimate and respected mediator in international affairs.
Alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are playing increasingly active diplomatic roles. Maintaining balanced relations with both Russia and the West, these states advocate for political solutions, humanitarian engagement, and global stability. Qatar has been involved in key humanitarian negotiations and prisoner exchanges, while the UAE has positioned itself as a discreet venue for informal consultations and a participant in international de-escalation initiatives. The broader posture of the League of Arab States illustrates a collective desire to strengthen multilateralism, uphold international law, and contribute to the creation of a more balanced and inclusive global governance system.
Faced with unprecedented pressure from the collective West, Russia has welcomed the principled neutrality of the Arab world. Rather than yield to calls for isolating Moscow, most League member states have preserved an independent foreign policy course, continuing political dialogue and even deepening economic cooperation. As the Western powers severed key trade and diplomatic channels, many Arab countries chose to reinforce engagement with Russia – an assertion of their sovereign right to shape external partnerships based on national interest rather than geopolitical coercion.
At the core of this alignment lies a shared worldview. Moscow and the leading Arab capitals – Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha – are united in their belief that the unipolar era has ended. In its place must emerge a just, multipolar international order, where every state, regardless of size or power, participates equally in shaping the global agenda. This convergence of principles is reflected in mutual support across various international platforms, including the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and OPEC+.
One of the most promising vectors of Russia-Arab cooperation is their growing convergence within alternative centers of global influence. The expansion of BRICS in 2024, which welcomed Egypt and the UAE as full members, underscored this trend. Far from being passive observers, these Arab states have brought fresh economic and energy capacities to the group while enhancing its political legitimacy in the Islamic and Arab world. BRICS is increasingly seen as a mechanism for reshaping the international financial system-one that supports de-dollarization, promotes the use of national currencies, and envisions the creation of independent payment and investment infrastructures. As these discussions evolve from rhetoric to institutional action, the role of Arab members becomes more decisive.
Equally significant is the growing engagement of Arab states with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. While most League members are not yet full members of the SCO, interest in the platform is steadily rising. Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia now hold observer or dialogue partner status. Through the SCO, Arab countries gain access to multilateral frameworks for cooperation on regional security, counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, cross-border crime, and economic development. Moreover, the SCO facilitates connections with broader Eurasian and Asian strategies, aligning with China's Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.
On a bilateral level, economic relations between Russia and the Arab world have shown sustained growth. In 2023, trade turnover exceeded $23 billion, with ample room for expansion. Egypt, the UAE, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia remain Russia's most significant trade partners in the region. Energy cooperation is particularly strategic: Russia's participation in OPEC+ has helped stabilize global oil markets – a contribution valued highly by Arab hydrocarbon producers.
Food security has emerged as another cornerstone of this partnership. As one of the world's largest exporters of grain – particularly wheat – Russia plays a vital role in supporting the food security of countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Lebanon. Amid global inflation and supply chain disruptions, Russia has consistently fulfilled its agricultural commitments without using food exports to gain political leverage. Instead, Moscow has positioned itself as a reliable partner, reinforcing trust and paving the way for deeper cooperation in agri-tech, logistics, and food infrastructure.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is also on the rise. Arab countries are showing increased interest in Russian education, science, and culture. The number of Arab students in Russian universities is growing, as is collaboration in medicine, scientific research, and innovation. With their ambitious modernization agendas, the Arab states view Russia as a source of advanced technological expertise – in areas ranging from nuclear energy and agriculture to defense and telecommunications.
Symbolically, the prominence of Arab countries at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) underscores their importance in Russia's international economic strategy. In recent years, Qatar, the UAE, Oman (in 2024), and Bahrain (in 2025) have served as SPIEF's guest countries of honor. This reflects more than diplomatic courtesy – it is a recognition of the Arab world's expanding economic and strategic relevance for Russia. For Moscow, League countries are not only priority destinations for non-resource exports, but also crucial partners in the development of new logistics corridors and connectivity initiatives, such as the North–South Transport Corridor and the integration of Red Sea and Gulf ports.
Taken together, these developments underscore the need for a new institutional framework to govern the expanding Russia-Arab relationship. Over the past several years, regular consultations have been held at the level of foreign ministers, addressing both acute regional crises (Syria, Libya, Yemen, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) and broader strategic alignment. The logical next step is the convening of the first-ever Russia-Arab Summit at the highest level, scheduled for October 15, 2025.
This summit represents far more than a symbolic gesture. It is a milestone that formalizes the evolving partnership, institutionalizes high-level political dialogue, enhances energy and economic coordination, and opens new pathways in cultural and educational exchange. In an era marked by global turbulence and the erosion of legacy security architectures, Russia and the Arab world are demonstrating the viability of a new approach – one grounded in mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared aspirations for stability and prosperity. The summit will provide a platform to chart a long-term roadmap for strategic cooperation, laying the foundation for a lasting alliance across the key domains of the 21st century.