Join the Carnegie Middle East Center for a panel discussion on the consequence of the war in Ukraine on the Middle East.

Vladimir Putin launched a broad Russian military offensive against Ukraine in the early hours of February 24 after broadcasting a speech announcing a “special military operation” to “demilitarize Ukraine.” Ukraine was soon under attack from cruise and ballistic missiles, with Russia appearing to target infrastructure near major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Dnipro. What is now an invasion of Ukraine has European leaders deeply concerned that the conflict could spread and become the largest war since 1945.

The war in Ukraine has sent ripples throughout Europe, but will also have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East. NATO-member Turkey will be part of the equation, and Turkish President Erdogan may use the conflict to play a mediation role, thereby increasing his country’s visibility, after Turkey was shunned by Europe and the Biden administration. The Russian presence in the Middle East will take on a new meaning in the context of a conflict that reflects Moscow’s desire to have strong influence in its immediate and broader neighborhood. This includes Syria, where Russia has a naval and air base, and Libya, where it also has an air base and has deployed pro-government mercenaries. The war will also have consequences on the energy sector in the Middle East, where, in view of the crisis, the United States could urge its partners Saudi Arabia and Qatar to expand energy supplies to Europe in case Russia decides to cut off what it supplies.

Speakers

Emma Beals, Non-resident Scholar, Middle East Institute; Regular Consultant and Senior Advisor, European Institute of Peace

Paul Stronski, Senior Fellow, Carnegie’s Russia and Eurasia Program

Sinan Ülgen, Visiting Scholar, Carnegie Europe

Maha Yahya, Director, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Jihad Yazigi, Founder and Dditor, Syria Report; Visiting Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations.