Part 2/12:
In April, the Kremlin announced plans for the summit, anticipating it would mark a return to Moscow's status as a regional power broker. The event was promoted as an opportunity for Arab and Russian leaders to consolidate ties, bolster energy and military cooperation, and demonstrate Russia’s independence from Western sanctions and distractions stemming from the Ukraine conflict. Invitations went out to presidents, prime ministers, and kings across the Arab world, with elaborate preparations—photo ops, balloons, and banners—intended to signal Moscow's diplomatic clout.