Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, has embarked on a historical visit to the Middle East in an attempt to put the once mighty and former USSR (now the Russian Federation of States) back on the political map. This visit by the Russian President is the first of its kind in 40 years; the last visit by a Russian Head of State was in 1965, which at the time, head of the Politburo Leonid Brezhnev made a visit to the region in the run up to the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. A great deal of controversy has surrounded Putin’s visit to the region, especially from the Israeli and American governments. Although a member of the Middle East Quartet, backing the U.S. proposed ‘Road Map,’ Russia’s recent role in the Middle East conflict or peace process has been close to minimal and hardly significant.

For the U.S. and Israel there are few very important issues pending. For one, the Russian-Syrian arms deal has taken center stage. Prior to Putin’s visit to the region the two countries, (Syria and Russia) having longstanding friendly relations, completed a weapons deal. The deal struck included Russian anti-aircraft SA-18 missiles. Israeli officials were more than concerned about the deal struck between the two countries. Israel has long considered Syria to be a sponsor of terrorism and has repeatedly threatened Syria with unilateral military action. Putin, however, assured Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon in his visit to Israel on Thursday that the anti-aircraft missiles were of no threat whatsoever to Israel, adding that the missiles could only be used for defense purposes. Moreover, Sharon expressed his deep disappointment and opposition to another arms deal, this time between Russia and the Palestinian National Authority. The deal would offer the Palestinian security forces 50 armoured vehicles and two transport helicopters.

Then there was Putin’s proposal to host a Middle East peace conference in Moscow. The proposed conference was rejected outright by both the Israeli cabinet and the U.S. administration. Although the proposal for the peace conference was greeted warmly by the Palestinian side and according to initial rumors that Russia dropped the proposal, President Putin reitirated his willingness to host a summit when he said, “We have not renounced our proposition to hold an international meeting in Moscow in the autumn for a resolution to the Middle East conflict, he said…its not a summit but a meeting of high-level experts.” Unfortunately both the U.S. administration and the Israeli cabinet called the proposal premature for both sides, citing that there were more pressing issues, like the still pending unilateral Israeli ‘disengagement’ from Gaza. Sadly enough, a positive initiative such as this Russian peace conference was cut off before it even took place, giving rise and doubt to the real intentions of the U.S. as an impartial peace broker, and Israel as a peace partner with genuine intentions.

Another point of concern for Israel is Iran’s nuclear programme. On several occasions in the past, Israel has expressed its concern about Iran’s nuclear program. In recent statements, Sharon has called for global action to be taken against Iran in its alleged quest to obtain nuclear weapons. Iran is considered one of Israel’s staunchest enemies along with Syria, for their blatant support for the Lebanese resistance movement Hizbollah, as well as for various Palestinian resistance factions, which Israel and the U.S. consider to be terrorist organizations. Walking on a thin rope, between Russia’s close ties and occasional support for countries, such as Iran and Syria, and Russia’s supposedly strained ties with Israel, Putin told reporters at a press conference in a very diplomatic answer that he looked forward to the upcoming negotiations between the European Union and Iran concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

Despite those differences, Sharon and Putin were able to reach understandings on the fight against anti-Semitism, cooperation in the war against ‘terror,’ a natural gas purchase that Israel is considering, space research, commerce and investments.

Moscow's Cold War-era regional influence cannot be underestimated. With concern to Russia and its relationship with the Arab World, specifically with the PNA and its people, Putin proposed to help President Abbas by offering to strengthen the Palestinian security forces, as well as pledging aid and support for the reconstruction of Gaza. In a show of respect, Putin also visited the grave of the late president Yasser Arafat and placed a wreath at the tomb of the burial site.

This visit by the Russian president and his entourage has captured the headlines of almost every global news organization. For the sake of the peace process, of ending the occupation and the construction of the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements and in order to bring much a needed and wanted genuine peace to the region, Russia’s unexpected re-engagement in the international peace efforts is welcome. However, they should be accompanied by real measures by first easing restrictions on Palestinian daily life and, secondly, pressuring Israel to do far more in the direction of peace. Since the death of Arafat, the most used scapegoat for the U.S. and Israel, it is very sad to report to the world that Israel has done practically nothing of what it pledged to do for peace in addition to doing things that are in complete contravention to any logic and peace-making.