'Loyalty Pays Off': Unlike US, Russia Remains True to Its Arab Partners

© Sputnik / Sergey Guneev / Go to the mediabankPresident Vladimir Putin (left) and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi make a joint statement for the press on the results of Russian-Egyptian talks in Cairo. File photo
President Vladimir Putin (left) and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi make a joint statement for the press on the results of Russian-Egyptian talks in Cairo. File photo - Sputnik International
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Russia's loyalty to its Arab allies sharply contrasts with Washington's habit of abandoning its partners in the Middle East and could win Moscow new friends in the region, an Israeli news website focusing on investigative journalism asserted.

FILE PHOTO. A soldier walks down an alley through heavy damage during a government escorted visit to Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 9, 2015 - Sputnik International
What’s Behind Russia’s Latest Round of Syrian Diplomacy?
Take Syria, for instance.

President Bashar al-Assad praised Moscow's policy toward Damascus as "principled" in a recent interview. "We have strong confidence in the Russians, as they have proven throughout this crisis, for four years, that they are sincere and transparent in their relationship with us," he noted.

Not surprisingly, Russia has recently stepped up its efforts to find a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria without forcing Assad to resign. The new peace initiative involves courting Arab nations. Moscow's logic is simple: Assad is not the enemy, Islamic extremists are.

"Russia's stance on Syria is rigid and consistent. President Putin has made it clear that Assad is Syria's legitimate president and Russia is against foreign involvement [in the country's affairs] which will force the Syrian people to accept certain conditions, like securing peace in exchange for Assad's resignation," the media outlet noted.

A government soldier with the Syrian flag on a location on top of a hill not far from Kessab on the Turkish border following an Islamist takeover of the town - Sputnik International
If Assad Falls, West Will Be Unable to Defeat ISIL –French Politician
It is against this background that Russia suggested creating an anti-terrorist coalition, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey. Vladimir Putin also tried to serve as a mediator between Assad and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, but representatives of both sides failed to reconcile their differences during a recent visit to the oil kingdom, News1 noted.

Moscow's peace initiative also involved Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed visiting Moscow last week. Sisi, according to the media outlet, could be interested in what Russia has to offer with respect to Syria. Cairo and Damascus are said to be getting closer to each other and could soon restore diplomatic relations.

But the key visit of an Arab leader to Russia has yet to take place. King Salman is expected to meet with President Putin in the near future. Both leaders will likely discuss the deal on the Iranian nuclear program and the fate of Assad.

"Russia's undivided loyalty to its ally in the Middle East has impressed Arab leaders and they are increasingly looking to Moscow in the hopes of receiving Russia's support, as well as signing new arms deals and economic agreements," the media outlet stated. "President Putin has shown that staying true to ones commitments pays off."

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