"Putin's Unusual Gulf Tour: Ukraine War, Gaza, and More"

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare foreign visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), praising the strong relations between the two countries and highlighting the UAE as Russia's main trading partner in the Arab world. This visit comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes committed by Putin. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, where Putin is scheduled to visit next, have not ratified the ICC's Rome Statute and are not obliged to arrest him. The visit aims to strengthen ties with Gulf states and discuss various issues, including oil, trade, the Ukraine conflict, and the Israel-Hamas war. The Gulf states have also played a role in facilitating recent prisoner swaps, including the release of nearly 300 people and the ongoing efforts to secure the release of two US citizens.