Putin is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with a focus on the Israel-Hamas conflict

As he asserts his growing influence in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. The following day, he will receive Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow. The Israel-Hamas conflict and bilateral ties will be the main topics of discussion, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday. Peskov stated that as Moscow works with all three nations through OPEC+—an alliance made up of Russia's friends and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)—discussions on cooperation in the oil market will be on the table. Peskov stated, "Of course, cooperation in this area is always on the agenda, but these discussions are held within the OPEC+ format." The oil market reacted with skepticism to the OPEC+ group's announcement last week of fresh voluntary production curbs, which Putin helped form in 2016.