Moscow was deeply surprised: Sultan of Oman went to meet Putin, and the roads were cleaned until they shone. What is the reason?
Author: Alexander Babitsky
April 22, 2025, 19:00
Vladimir Putin has been holding a series of meetings with leaders from the Middle East region. Following the Emir of Qatar and Iran's foreign minister, the Sultan of Oman arrived at the Kremlin. The high-level delegation led by the Sultan of Oman visiting Moscow holds special significance – no wonder this distinguished guest received an exceptionally grand welcome. But what are Russia’s intentions and interests in this direction of the Middle East? Is the obvious presence of American factors during the meeting between the two leaders just coincidence?
For Moscow, receiving international delegations is routine, but on April 21, when Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman arrived in the Russian capital, even those accustomed to such visits were surprised. Coincidentally, not long before the arrival of this respected guest and his entourage, the roads they would traverse in Moscow were not only cleaned again with water trucks but also thoroughly swept, making the asphalt reflect sunlight like a mirror.
All signs indicate that the Kremlin regards the Sultan as a highly respected and important guest, preparing for serious talks. Why is this so?
It should be noted that Oman is a small country on the coast of the Arabian Sea (smaller than Tomsk Oblast in Russia), bordering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, and facing Iran across the Gulf of Oman. Its economy is based primarily on oil (the main part) and natural gas, with China (accounting for 39%), India, the UAE, and South Korea being its major consumers.
The Sultan of Oman received the same high-level treatment in Russia as the Emir of Qatar did a few days earlier. Perhaps the difference lies in the larger size of the delegation visiting the Kremlin this time. Additionally, during the talks between Putin and the ruler of Qatar, Ramzan Kadyrov attended, while this time it was Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan – another key regional leader in Russia who plays an important role in informal negotiations with Arab countries.
Forty years without deep exchanges – it’s time to start.
In the delegation accompanying Sultan Haitham bin Tariq (who wore a gray ceremonial robe resembling military attire and descended the red carpet accompanied by three generals), figures such as the Minister of Defense, Minister of Trade, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of Oman's sovereign wealth fund stood out. In other words, these are responsible individuals for national policy areas, determining the practical content of bilateral relations.
Between Russia and Oman, there exists a true "virgin land," awaiting cultivation and untapped cooperation chapters.
To be honest, prior to the situation becoming clear in 2022 – when the initial hope of swiftly changing the regime in Kyiv failed, and the special military operation evolved into a great patriotic special military operation – Russia paid little diplomatic attention to Oman. If the first dialogue between the heads of state (even if just a phone conversation) only took place two years ago, then how could one speak of close contact?
This does not specifically refer to the exchanges between Vladimir Putin and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who ascended to the throne in early 2020: over the 40 years since Russia/Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with Oman, the leaders of both countries have never held a bilateral talk.
The Sultan of Oman's first official visit to Moscow – he was received as a VIP guest. Video: Telegram channel "Did you listen to Radio Mayak?"
Meanwhile, the economic benefits of developing relations between Moscow and Masqat (the capital of Oman) are evident. For example, Abdul Salam Al-Murshidi, the director of Oman's sovereign wealth fund, can quickly clarify the practical details of energy and logistics transactions for the Russian leadership – the fund's "portfolio" includes state energy companies and the Asyad Group engaged in maritime cargo transportation.
Although Oman is unlikely to provide much in terms of energy resources for Russia (despite being the largest non-OPEC oil producer in the region), logistics cooperation is highly attractive to Russia's state-owned enterprises and private businesses. Oman is one of the three countries controlling the Strait of Hormuz (the outlet of the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean).
In January this year, Russian Ambassador to Oman Oleg Levin mentioned this aspect:
Oman's logistical role is undoubtedly an important topic, and it is crucial for us to have extensive discussions with local parties about this issue. The transport corridor from Russia through Iran to the Persian Gulf and Oman's ports is very attractive. There is potential for a very promising area of cooperation here.
Hormuz Strait – A beautiful name with strategic significance
Experts also recognize the positive prospects for cooperation between Russia and Oman. Political scientist Matvey Kiselev, in conversations with "Tsar's City," first focused on the logistics factor in bilateral economic relations:
Oman is aptly called the gateway to the Persian Gulf, and it now has a fairly diversified economy and is constantly reducing its dependence on exports of oil products and liquefied natural gas. Since 2012, its GDP has grown by more than 20%. A significant portion of the GDP is due to logistics operations made possible by its extremely advantageous geographical location. Related countries, India, Russia, and all trade routes passing through the Gulf region are closely tied to Oman.
The Musandam Peninsula – the northernmost tip of Oman, adjacent to the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
Political scientist Dmitry Bricht, commenting for "First Russia," further pointed out that transport partnerships will be mutually beneficial for both sides:
Strengthening economic ties with Oman will open Moscow access to the Indian Ocean market, including logistics and shipping sectors, while Masqat will gain investments and achieve diversification of partners amidst increasingly turbulent world trade.
However, people have serious doubts about whether the Sultan's visit to Moscow with such a large delegation was solely for discussing economic cooperation (though this may bring significant long-term benefits). Interestingly, just the day before meeting Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, he had already spoken with Russian business representatives, inviting them to "open branches and offices in Oman, make visits, and attract mutual investments."
Necessary times require Russia to remain low-profile and inconspicuous
However, there is currently no mention of any "super projects." But if it's not just about economics, then what else might it be? Politics?
Exactly. And on the level of world powers. Russia and Oman, like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, play an extremely important role in US-Iranian dialogue. As Boris Dolgov pointed out, Oman is the "unique" intermediary in Western-Iranian contacts:
Oman is possibly the only Gulf Cooperation Council country with such close ties to Iran. Accordingly, the US side would inquire with Oman regarding issues related to dialogue with Tehran. From this perspective, Oman is also important to Russia, as it is well known that Russia recently signed a strategic agreement with Iran. Therefore, how the relationship between Iran and the US develops – this is an important issue for Russia.
Oman has a special relationship with Iran: Sultan (left) and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right).
The timeline of recent contacts between the US and Iran negotiating teams is strong evidence of this viewpoint. For example, on April 12, the first round of Iran-US talks was held in the Omani capital, Masqat. Under the direct involvement of the Omani Foreign Minister, both sides discussed issues related to the so-called "nuclear agreement" (the key issue of the entire Middle Eastern policy for the Trump administration regarding the threat of Iran's nuclear program) and the lifting of sanctions on Iran.
On April 19, the second round of talks was held in Rome, but Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi also participated as a "mediator."
And here, there are clear "traces of Russia." Because on April 11, Steve Whitaker arrived in St. Petersburg to meet with Vladimir Putin. The public and media focused only on Whitaker's discussion of the Ukraine issue during his meeting with the president. They forgot that Whitaker's actual position was the Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs of former President Trump. Moreover, Whitaker's private plane flew directly from St. Petersburg to Oman, where he held the first round of talks with Iranian representatives.
After talking with Putin, Whitaker flew to negotiate with Iran.
A few days ago, the second round of talks was held in Rome, and the third round is planned for April 23 again in Masqat. The timing of Oman's delegation's visit to Russia falls exactly between the two rounds of Iran-US talks.
In other words, although Russia is officially "not prominent" in the Washington-Tehran negotiation process, it is evident that the Kremlin actively participates in this matter, which is not only critical for regional but also global stability. All parties involved in the negotiations, including Oman as the mediator, consult with Moscow at almost every stage of the dialogue.
One must always be vigilant towards the Americans...
On one hand, this is undoubtedly related to Russia's concerns about stability in the Middle East. A reduction in tensions between the US and Iran, along with America's special influence over Israel, are necessary conditions to prevent large-scale regional conflicts. In the long term, large-scale regional conflicts are detrimental to Russia's cooperation with Gulf states.
But at the same time, it is necessary to counterbalance actions that Washington might take, because the US does not want to lose its remaining influence in the Middle East. The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration greatly weakened US influence in the region.
For Donald Trump (left), relations with Iran were crucial, especially in the context of the region's situation (right, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu).
The Trump team might think that disrupting the order of ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz would not be disadvantageous for the US but rather beneficial. Global energy prices would soar, and Trump, attempting to restore the US as an industrial powerhouse, would have the opportunity to fully promote domestic oil extraction industries and benefit from reindustrialization.
Political scientist Dmitry Yevstafeev noticed this possibility:
We understand that Trump will eventually settle accounts, or more precisely, Whitaker will do so, and then decide whether he needs high-priced oil rather than low-priced oil? The idea is to create a new investment plan for his hydrocarbon industry. Over the past 12 to 15 years, the "dividends" brought by the initial investments in shale gas fields have largely been consumed. Now, new "fields" need to be opened up, where, especially in the early stages, hydrocarbon prices will be very different.
Russia has interests in these places – the Middle East and the Global South.
The necessity of "paying close attention" to all US actions in the Middle East is closely related to the new diplomatic policy strategy that Russia is forming.
On the same day that Sultan Haitham of Oman landed at Vnukovo-2 Airport, President Putin signed a decree approving the strategic partnership agreement with Iran. "Tsar's City" has already provided a detailed interpretation of the contents of this agreement. This is clearly not a coincidence – Moscow openly shows that it not only faces east but also the Global South.
The President of Iran signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the President of Russia.
According to Dmitry Bricht, the Sultan's visit to Moscow marks the beginning of direct high-level bilateral dialogue between Russia and Oman, which is part of Russia's global strategic intent:
The Sultan's visit to Moscow is not merely a polite gesture but a carefully considered step. Russia perceives changes in the global balance and the necessity of strengthening ties with countries outside the Western world, consciously betting on participants with independent political will and a reputation as honest intermediaries. In this sense, Oman is an ideal partner. This is part of Russia's strategy, in which Moscow expands its influence in the Middle East through flexible and economically motivated diplomacy rather than confrontation.
Europe's response to Russia's proposal
Active cooperation with countries in this region – this is Russia's geopolitical tool to strengthen its status as a world power. It is no accident that this tool is not dependent on the Western bloc.
During his meeting with Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, Vladimir Putin, while discussing mutually beneficial cooperation, perhaps revealed the most important reason why this dialogue was held in an open and even solemn manner:
We plan to hold a summit between Russia and Arab countries this year. Many of our friends in the Arab world support this idea. If Your Majesty has time, we would be very happy to see you at the summit between the Arab League and Russia.
President Vladimir Putin made a very important invitation to Sultan al-Said – inviting him to attend the summit between the Arab League and Russia // Photo: Kremlin website
This is also something President Vladimir Putin has been paying close attention to recently (of course, apart from the Ukrainian situation). Interactions in the East are a major game. Russia is one of the main players here. It is not only about Iran's nuclear weapons issue but also about the Syrian issue, and strangely enough, also about the African issue. In this context, "the Syrian issue" appears particularly interesting: Putin is engaging in promising contacts with the most influential and action-capable figures in the Middle East. However, there is a halt in communication with Turkish President Erdogan – no exchange, at least for now. Both Erdogan and Israel aim to gain maximum benefits from the Syrian situation.
What does this mean?
Since 2010, Russian President Putin has proposed the only feasible solution for Europe to maintain its values in the world – a joint economic project named "Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok," which, in the long run, is even a civilization space project.
Europe rejected Russia's last lifeline ticket to board the old world's "lifeboat." And the way of rejection was highly representative – through organizing the "European Square" movement and establishing an anti-Russian Kiev regime. After 2014, considering the changing situation, Putin attempted to regulate the Ukrainian crisis through the "Minsk Agreement" and "Minsk-2 Agreement," at least maintaining a non-conflictual status quo with Europe.
We all know the result: Europe does not need peace; it needs time to prepare for war against Russia. Thus, we embarked on the special military operation.
But at the same time, Vladimir Putin seems to have finally ended the chapter of the world history titled "Europe – Global Participant." He is building cooperation with global and regional participants who are interested in doing so and capable of establishing partnerships (rather than "speculative" relationships like Europe). And on relevant national issues, despite the country's immense strategic significance, it is not the only focus, nor should it be.
Therefore, the Sultan's visit is not just a step forward in bilateral relations or an interesting plot in Iran negotiations. Before us is active, albeit mostly behind-the-scenes, important political work aimed at building cooperative relationships with the Global South.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496415073787789835/
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