On October 15, Moscow was to host the first Russia-Arab summit, with Middle Eastern leaders invited. However, the majority declined to attend, delivering a significant blow to the Kremlin's plans.
The meeting was considered a key foreign policy event for Russia, intended to demonstrate Moscow’s support from the Arab world amid its broader isolation. Simultaneously, this event coincided with Donald Trump's initiatives to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict, which further widened the gap between Moscow and the region’s key players.
The Kremlin attributed the summit’s failure to Middle Eastern leaders being occupied with conflict resolution efforts in the region. In reality, most governments preferred to engage in dialogue with the US rather than Russia. Only a few representatives, including Syria’s president and the Arab League’s head, confirmed their attendance.
Experts point out that the failed summit further underscored Russia’s ongoing international isolation and its eroding position as an influential player in the Middle East. Comparisons were drawn to the Soviet era, with analysts noting Moscow’s current unpredictability and the loss of stable alliances in the region.
This incident has become another sign of Russia’s declining international influence, despite Kremlin attempts to reclaim a leadership role. The summit’s failure highlights the strengthening of Arab partnerships with the West and the US.
