The summit in Moscow is canceled: Arab leaders did not come to Putin

The first “Russian-Arab World” summit, intended to strengthen the Kremlin’s position in the Middle East, has been postponed due to an insufficient number of participants.

Unexpected Turn

Putin was forced to cancel the event as only a few Arab leaders confirmed their participation. Bloomberg reports that the summit, scheduled for October 15, 2025, in Moscow, was considered a “key” foreign policy initiative of Russia. The goal was to demonstrate Moscow’s influence in the Arab region.

The postponement was announced after Putin’s conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. The reason was the inability of heads of state to attend amid the implementation of Donald Trump’s peace plan to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Kremlin’s Reaction

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s aide, noted that further steps depend on the development of the situation with Trump’s plan. The cancellation of the summit highlights the interest of Arab countries in cooperating with the US, which has increased pressure on the Kremlin due to the conflict in Ukraine.

Preparation and Expectations

Russia had been preparing for the summit since April, inviting 22 Arab leaders. However, only the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the head of the Arab League confirmed their participation. Important figures, such as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the President of the UAE, did not give official confirmation.

The Kremlin is considering a new date in November. At this time, Trump threatens sanctions against Russia while praising Arab leaders for their assistance in peace initiatives.

Global Consequences

The weakening of Russia’s influence in the Middle East continues. Military and economic resources are limited, and the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has weakened Moscow’s positions. The US and China are expanding their presence in the region.

Relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, OPEC members, are of particular importance for global energy supplies. Putin seeks the role of leader of the “global majority,” but without the Arab world, this seems conditional.

This week, Putin is in Dushanbe at the CIS countries’ summit, but even these states pursue a multi-vector policy, which limits Moscow’s influence.