The Middle East and North Africa might be devastated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Increased violence in Ukraine might have massive repercussions for European interests in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It has the potential to further destabilize the energy supply, aggravate food shortages, and enable regional governments to gain power over the US and Europe. Ukraine’s existence is in jeopardy. Revitalized global mediation raises hopes for a negotiated conclusion, but the threat of all-out conflict remains. If Russia begins a new military onslaught against Ukraine, the consequences for European interests would extend far beyond the two nations, with the Middle East and North Africa likely to suffer the most.
The conflict in Ukraine is expected to cause new issues for the European region. While governments in the Middle East and North Africa would not be likely to substitute Russia as Europe’s primary energy supplier on their own, they will gain more clout over the West. This might be a stumbling block for the Biden administration’s plans to redirect its attention away from the Middle East towards Asia. But it could also offer up new chances for European politics, including negotiation attempts to develop energy pipelines among Algeria and Morocco. However, escalating hostilities between both the West and Russia will almost inevitably hamper regional stabilizing initiatives, notably in Libya and Syria.
A full-fledged war between Russia and Ukraine might also result in a significant spike in global oil and wheat prices. This may have severe economic implications on fragile governments exacerbating their governance issues. Regional nations that are clearly struggling to stay afloat may become increasingly feeble and more subject to outside coercion.
How Ukraine Crisis Is Affecting Arabian Peninsula?
An increase in hostilities over Ukraine might have far-reaching implications for the Middle East. Several Arab countries would suffer greatly as a result. Russia appears to be bolstering its armed forces. The crisis in Ukraine might have a huge influence on the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in particular, are staunch US allies. Their partnership entails oil and gas supply on one side and weaponry sales on another. As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States is perhaps the Gulf states’ major armament provider. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has dominated OPEC and oil in collaboration with Russia. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Russia also inked a Military Cooperation Agreement in August of last year.
Therefore, there are a lot of factors included. Saudi Arabia will continue to play a diplomatic role but if forced to choose between Russia and the United States, then it might create a serious quandary. Energy, wheat, and many other exports and imports will be severely affected resulting in high prices. Although, Saudi Arabia is prepared to act as a bridge-builder between all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict.
How Russo-Ukrainian War Can Impact Hajj and Umrah?
MENA and many other Asian countries will undoubtedly suffer due to the war. Certainly, there will be a high risk of world war 3, and people around the world are scared of it. They do not want to travel to the risky places that are more prone to war. Saudi Arabia being the ally of Russia and US has become vulnerable to war that’s what terrifies the people. Hajj and Umrah are two major sources of generating revenue in the Kingdom. But due to high chances of war people are less likely to embark on these pilgrimages.
Russia & Ukraine Conflict Evokes Energy, Agriculture, And Humanitarian Crisis
The confrontation between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in energy, agricultural, and humanitarian disaster. The links between the Ukrainian war and the MENA area are more complicated than they appear at first glance. Regional authorities have a strong involvement in averting expansion. In the event of an escalation, mitigating the repercussions as soon as feasible. Humongous warfare involving Russia and Ukraine will have three major consequences for the MENA region. Firstly, it includes energy because of anticipated disruptions in global energy supplies. The second one is agriculture, due to potential interruptions in agricultural trade and commerce and grain production in the Black Sea basin. The third main concern is refugees, as another humanitarian disaster would put further strain on an already impoverished and overburdened global relief system.
States within MENA, like Yemen, are still affected violence and require humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation, as well as development financing. MENA nations are also grappling with their own refugee challenges. It is in the region’s greatest advantage to do everything possible to avoid the war between Ukraine and Russia from escalating further. Which would inflict more pain and damage and necessitate more efforts to mitigate its consequences.
In Short,
The MENA is not immune to the ramifications of a hypothetical Ukrainian-Russian war. Countries in the region, particularly oil and gas producers, can assist to reduce some of the impacts. Therefore, it is preferable for them to do everything possible to prevent it from getting out of their hands. As a result of this war, certainly, the whole world will suffer.
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