Arabs Take Vladimir Putin at His Word

by Andrei Kolesnikov

The Russian President met with Arab League general secretary Amr Musa and, in the opinion of Kommersant special correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov, made two risky political statements in a row. However, they will both work in Mr. Putin's favor during his upcoming tour of the Persian Gulf countries.

Upon seeing Mr. Putin in the fairly informal surroundings of his residence at Novo-Ogarevo, Mr. Musa grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically.

"It is well known that Russia traditionally has good relations with all of the Arab states," said the Russian president to his colleague. "We currently have no problems with any Arab country. Of course, unlike in past decades, we have neither economic, nor ideological, nor any other conflicts."

At first glance, the Russian president seemed to have made a fairly risky comment. The thought of a complete concurrence of ideology with the countries of the Arab world – with Saudi Arabia, where profound monarchy rules, or with Libya, where Colonel Qaddafi holds permanent sway – would seem to be masochism. However, Mr. Putin can see that perfectly well already. Actually, if you take his point of view, it has to be admitted that it is not the countries of the Arab world that have become ideologically closer to Russia (they haven't budged an inch), but actually Russia that has striven to assimilate its worldview with theirs.

"Russia's relations with Arab countries are either good or very good," continued the president. "And in that sense, cooperation with the Arab League has always been a great help to us."

That was Mr. Putin's second risky statement. It reminded me greatly of the idea that vodka is either good or very good. And if a person drinks counterfeit vodka and drops dead, that means it was good vodka – he wouldn't have died from very good vodka.

"We hold Russia's policy in the Middle East in high esteem," said Mr. Musa. "The policies of other countries in our region are not quite as successful. Russia is one of only a handful of countries whose policy is distinguished by an understanding of the realities of our region… Really, Mr. President, you're right: the relations between the Arab states and Russia are right now either good or very good."

It still would have been nice to figure out with whom relations are very good, and with whom they're only good.