Part 3/12:
As the event date approached, it became increasingly clear that the summit would not meet expectations. Major Arab nations—including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE—refused to participate, citing scheduling conflicts, political disagreements, or lack of interest. The only confirmed attendees were Syria's President Ahmed al-Shara and the Arab League head, both considered less influential. Faced with an almost completely empty hall and mounting embarrassment, Putin announced the event's postponement, citing a need to avoid interfering with another regional summit in Egypt. Yet, critics argue the real reason was the lack of regional interest—Putin’s diplomatic outreach had simply failed.