Putin Visits UAE, Saudi Arabia, Belying Western Claims of Moscow’s ‘Isolation’

Russian President Vladimir Putin went on a whirlwind tour of the Arab Gulf on Dec. 6, during which he and a high-profile delegation visited both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. His visit to the two oil-rich Arab states—both seen as key U.S. allies in the region—served to belie Western claims of Moscow’s “isolation” on the world stage. On the eve of the trip, Yury Ushakov, a top aide to Mr. Putin, described the latter’s “lightning tour” of the region as a “potent signal to the international community.” Mr. Putin’s first stop was in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, where he received a lavish state welcome....