- October 15, 2025
- 6:42 pm
- Brief news
Vladimir Putin announced the “Russia β Arab World” summit, which was supposed to highlight Moscow’s influence in the Middle East. However, attention was drawn to Egypt, where Donald Trump led peace talks on Gaza, reports Peter Sauer from The Guardian.
Fading Influence
Only two leaders responded to the summit in Moscow: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Analysts note that the war in Ukraine has weakened Russia’s positions in the region.
Anna Notte, an expert from Berlin, emphasizes: “Key players no longer pay attention to Moscow.”
New Alliances
The Egyptian summit confirmed the changes: leaders are striving to strengthen ties with Trump, while disappointment in Washington grows due to the ongoing conflict.
The Middle East has long been a stage for Putin’s return to the global scene. However, after 2022, Russia was forced to reduce its presence, leaving Assad without support.
Lost Opportunities
Despite efforts to strengthen ties with the Palestinian Authority, Russia did not play a significant role in the Gaza ceasefire.
Putin postponed the summit to “not interfere” with Trump’s initiative, but Lavrov noted that Russia would not impose its services.
Global Changes
Russia’s retreat from global influence is noticeable beyond the Middle East. Central Asia and the Caucasus are gradually moving out of Moscow’s orbit.
In August, Trump hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and their visit to Egypt took place without Russia’s participation.
Moscow plans to move the summit to November to emphasize that Russia is not isolated. However, as Notte notes, this will not restore its role in the region.
Today, the new president of Syria arrived in Moscow, declaring a reboot of relations with Russia. This could become a new turn in the complex diplomatic game.
