Putin Visits UAE, Saudi Arabia, Belying Western Claims of Moscow’s ‘Isolation’

Gaza, energy top agenda of talks with Emirati and Saudi leaders.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30, 2018. Alejandro Pagni/AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin went on a whirlwind tour of the Arab Gulf on Dec. 6, during which he and a high-profile delegation visited both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

His visit to the two oil-rich Arab states—both seen as key U.S. allies in the region—served to belie Western claims of Moscow’s “isolation” on the world stage.