Issues that President Putin will discuss when he visits the Middle East

The Kremlin made the announcement on December 5, adding that Mr. Putin would meet his Iranian counterpart after returning from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Russian leader will visit the UAE and Saudi Arabia on December 6 and discuss bilateral relations, cooperation in the oil sector, as well as international and regional issues, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

“However, first of all, it will be a matter of bilateral relations,” Peskov stressed, noting that the discussions will be conducted in the format of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners (OPEC+).

Peskov also confirmed that Putin is scheduled to meet his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow on December 7. Iran's Tasnim news agency had earlier reported that Raisi would be traveling to Russia with a delegation of senior government officials and representatives of the trade and economic sectors.

Russian President Putin and his Iranian counterpart are expected to discuss trade, economic and political cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, as well as regional and international issues, especially the situation in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov revealed on December 5 that Putin would discuss the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran joining the BRICS group of emerging economies. “The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran have received invitations to become BRICS members from 2024. And in 2024, as you know, Russia will chair BRICS. It is quite reasonable to discuss how Russia can ensure good connectivity between these three countries and all areas of BRICS activity,” Ushakov told reporters.

In addition, Mr. Ushakov revealed that the content of Russia's special military campaign in Ukraine will also be discussed during the meeting between President Putin and the leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Mr. Ushakov also said that there were no plans to issue a joint press statement after Russian President Putin’s visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. “But I do not rule out the possibility that some joint statement could be quickly prepared and agreed upon,” Mr. Ushakov added.

President Putin's visit to the Middle East comes after the OPEC+ group announced last week that it would deepen production cuts to around 2.2 million barrels per day to stabilize global oil markets.