On October 15, 2025, the Kremlin announced the postponement of the highly anticipated Russia-Arab World summit, initially planned to convene in Moscow. The summit, intended to showcase Russia's enduring role as a key power broker in Middle Eastern affairs, was delayed due to a lack of confirmed attendance from Arab leaders. Only a few dignitaries, including Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit, had confirmed participation. The postponement coincided with a major peace summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi hosted regional and European leaders to sign a Gaza ceasefire agreement. Russia notably abstained from this gathering, signaling a diminished role in critical regional diplomacy.
The Kremlin's decision to delay the summit was officially attributed to scheduling conflicts, as many Arab leaders prioritized the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire implementation. However, analysts interpret this as a stark indicator of Moscow's declining influence in the Middle East, a region where Russia had sought to assert itself as a counterbalance to Western powers. The absence of broad Arab engagement and Russia's sidelining in the Gaza peace process highlight the erosion of Moscow's diplomatic leverage.
Russia's Middle Eastern strategy had been anchored by its 2015 military intervention in Syria, which preserved Bashar al-Assad's regime and secured strategic military bases such as Tartus and Hmeimim. This intervention elevated Russia's status as a formidable regional actor. Yet, the ongoing war in Ukraine has severely strained Russia's military and economic resources, limiting its capacity to sustain influence abroad. The diversion of resources has coincided with shifting regional dynamics, including the rise of U.S. diplomatic initiatives and the strengthening of ties between Middle Eastern states and the United States under President Donald Trump's administration.
Moreover, Russia's alignment with Iran and partial support for Palestinian factions has complicated its relations with Israel, further constraining its regional influence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cooperation with Ukraine, including the transfer of Patriot missile systems, contrasts with Russia's strained ties with Tel Aviv. This divergence undermines Russia's ability to act as a unifying mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts.
The postponement also reflects broader geopolitical realignments. The recent peace summit in Egypt, led by President Trump, attracted significant attention and participation from regional leaders, signaling a pivot towards U.S.-led diplomacy. Trump's active engagement in the Gaza ceasefire and peace process has enhanced Washington's standing, while Russia's absence underscores its marginalization. This shift is emblematic of a trend where Middle Eastern states increasingly seek to balance relations with the United States, especially as Moscow's global influence wanes amid the protracted Ukraine conflict.
Russia's frustration with its sidelined role is evident in statements from senior officials. While President Vladimir Putin publicly praised Trump's ceasefire efforts and offered to postpone the Russia-Arab summit to avoid interference, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Russia would not impose its involvement in Middle Eastern issues. Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev criticized the Gaza agreement for failing to address the establishment of a Palestinian state, signaling internal divisions over Russia's Middle East policy.
Beyond the Middle East, Russia faces diminishing influence in other neighboring regions such as Central Asia and the Caucasus, where countries like Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are recalibrating their foreign policies away from Moscow. The recent U.S.-mediated peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, hosted by President Trump, exemplifies this trend and further challenges Russia's regional dominance.
Looking ahead, the Kremlin has indicated intentions to reschedule the Russia-Arab summit for November 2025, aiming to reassert its presence. However, the current geopolitical environment suggests that Russia will face significant hurdles in regaining its former stature. The ongoing Ukraine war continues to sap Moscow's resources and diplomatic capital, while U.S. engagement under President Trump is reshaping alliances and influence patterns in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the postponement of the Russia-Arab World summit is a tangible manifestation of Russia's declining influence in the Middle East. This development is driven by the multifaceted impacts of the Ukraine conflict, shifting regional alliances favoring U.S. diplomacy, and Russia's strained relations with key regional actors. The evolving geopolitical landscape suggests that Moscow's role in Middle Eastern affairs will remain constrained in the near term, with significant implications for regional security, energy politics, and global power balances.
According to The Times of Israel and corroborated by spotmedia.ro, the postponement is emblematic of Russia's strategic recalibration and the shifting power dynamics in the Middle East as of October 2025.
