Kuwait–Russia relations

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Kuwait–Russia relations
Map indicating locations of Kuwait and Russia

Kuwait
Russia

Kuwait–Russia relations is the

bilateral relationship between the two countries, Kuwait and Russia
.

Prior to the

Soviet" state in the Persian Gulf region.[1][2] Kuwait acted as a conduit for the Soviets to the other Gulf states and Kuwait was used to demonstrate the benefits of a pro-Soviet stance.[1]

Background

Russian Empire relations

In the beginning of the 20th century, the

a railway which would ultimately link Baghdad with Berlin, which was planned to terminate in Kuwait.[4]

In 1899 the

Russian Foreign Minister, wrote to Pyotr Tyrtov, the head of the Ministry of the Navy explaining that the purpose of sending the Gilyak was to show the British and local authorities that by flying the Russian flag in the Persian Gulf, the Empire regards the Persian Gulf as being open to vessels of all nations, and that there was no aggressive intent nor plans for terrorial acquisitions.[4] When the Gilyak arrived in Kuwait in February 1900, the British attempted to stop the Emir of Kuwait, Mubarak Al-Sabah, from meeting the Russians, but he did travel from the desert to greet the Russians, whom he saw as an ally against Britain.[3][4] Extensive discussions with the Russians led to Mubarak in the spring of 1901 asking for Russian protection; only 2 years after he had agreed to become a British protectorate,[4][5] although Russian sources indicate that the request was turned down to avoid antagonising the British.[5]

In April 1900 the Russians had plans to open a regular

Jahra preparing for an expected Wahabi attack, and the ship's officers were taken to Jahra, where they were warmly met by the Emir and were informed that he would turn to Russia for help if Kuwait were to be in danger, and that the Emir would like to see as many Russian ships in Kuwait as possible.[3][4] The visit of the Varyag was a success, and the Russians left the Persian Gulf leaving the impression of naval superiority over their British rivals.[3]

After the visit of the Varyag, the next Russian to have an audience with the Emir was N.V. Bogoyavlensky, a

Moscow University.[3] Upon meeting the Russian, the Emir was reported as telling the zoologist, "I believe the Russians are friends. I am happy to play host to them. I am always ready to do everything I can for them."[4]

On 1 December 1902, the protected cruiser

Muscat.[4] This led to the Russians wanting to establish such a facility in Kuwait,[5] however, by the end of 1903, Russian attention turned away from the Persian Gulf towards events in the Far East which eventually led to the Russo-Japanese War.[4]

Soviet-era relations

Kuwait gained independence from the

diplomatic relations on 11 March 1963.[8] Kuwait saw the establishment of relations as an insurance policy, of sorts, against new Iraqi territorial ambitions, and Russia saw the relationship as a bridge between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. In the years that followed, relations between the Soviet Union and Kuwait were not always cordial, which was exemplified by Premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev making disparaging remarks towards the Kuwaiti leadership whilst on a state visit to Egypt in March 1964.[7]

Relations began to improve when

establish diplomatic relations with the Soviets, ending the diplomatic isolation of the superpower amongst the countries on the Arabian Peninsula; for most of the Cold War, Kuwait was one of only two countries which maintained such relations with the Soviet Union.[7]

Prior to the Gulf War, Kuwait was the only "pro-Soviet" Persian Gulf state.[1] Kuwait acted as a conduit for the Soviets to the other Gulf states and Kuwait was used to demonstrate the benefits of a pro-Soviet stance.[1] In 1987, after U.S.A refused to supply Stingers, Kuwait signed a 327 million dollar deal with Soviet Union for the purchase of surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, tanks and other military equipment. Reportedly, Soviet experts would assemble and operate military equipment and train Kuwaiti personnel.[10]

After the August 1990

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that refusal to abide by United Nations Security Council resolutions would see the Council introducing further measures against Iraq.[12]

Russian Federation relations

Diplomatic ties

Embassy of Kuwait in Moscow
.

On 28 December 1991, Kuwait recognised the

embassy in Moscow.[15] The current Ambassador of Russia to Kuwait is Mr Alexey Solomatin.[16] The current Ambassador of Kuwait to Russia is Abdulaziz A. Aladwani[17] who presented his credentials to Vladimir Putin on 16 January 2014.[18]

Political ties

In 1991 the Kuwait Foreign Trading Contracting & Investment Co. extended

US$1 billion on a seven-year term. On 30 May 2006, the Russian and Kuwaiti governments agreed to settle the US$1.6 billion debt of the former Soviet Union, with the repayments to take the form of US$1 billion in cash, and US$600 million in goods.[19][20][21]

Military ties

On 29 November 1993, Kuwait became the first Persian Gulf Arab state to sign a military agreement with Russia, which followed joint naval exercises at the end of 1992.

S-300V surface-to-air missiles.[23]

Kuwait was the first

Gulf Arab state to sign a military agreement with Russia. In recent years, Russia has established extensive military cooperation with Kuwait.[24]

Economic ties

Speaking at the 2009 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Ahmed Rashid Al Harun, the Kuwaiti Minister of Trade and Industry, noted that relations between the two countries extended over 100 years, and called for the intensification of investment between both countries.[25]

Trade statistics

In 1998

US$400,000, and by the period January—October 2005 this figure had increased to US$22.2 million.[26]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Relations of Kuwait and Russia.

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 9780275949730
    .
  2. ISBN 9781588364340
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 1-86064-271-3
    . Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rezvan, Dr. Efim A. "Russian Reports as a Source on the History of Arabia and the Gulf Region (1898-1904)". King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-275-99328-3
    . Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  6. ISBN 0-7190-0332-6
    . Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-0-275-99328-3
    . Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  8. ISBN 90-286-0609-2
    . Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  9. ^ Elena Melkumyan (December 2015). "The Political History of Russia–GCC Relations". Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  10. ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  11. Wilmington Morning Star. 25 August 1990. pp. 5A. Archived from the original
    on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  12. ^ Apple, A.W. Jr. (25 August 1990). "Confrontation in the Gulf; Gorbachev warns Baghdad to back off or U.N. will act; Iraqis ring Kuwait missions". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  13. ^ Российско-кувейтские отношения (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia). 12 March 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  14. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    . Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  15. ^ سفارة دولة الكويت ( روسيا الاتحادية -موسكو ) (in Arabic). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kuwait). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  16. ^ "Embassy of Russia in Kuwait City, Kuwait". www.embassypages.com. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  17. ^ Photos
  18. ^ "Presentation by foreign ambassadors of their letters of credence". Kremlin.ru. 16 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Второе уголовное дело против Сторчака прекращено — Генпрокуратура" (in Russian). Moscow: RIA Novosti. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  20. ^ Kiseleva, Yelena (29 May 2006). Правительство вернет Кувейту долг СССР [The Government will return to Kuwait USSR debt] (in Russian). Kommersant. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  21. ^ "Russia to pay Soviet-era debt to Kuwait". People's Daily. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  22. ^ Zamyatin, Viktor; Koretsky, Alexander (26 January 1994). Кувейт хочет увидеть БМП в действии (in Russian). Kommersant. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  23. ^ a b Sukhova, Svetlana (1 June 1994). На рынке вооружений свято место пусто не бывает (in Russian). Kommersant. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  24. ^ "Russia's Military Involvement in the Middle East". 3 March 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2014.
  25. ^ Кувейт стремится укрепить экономические связи с РФ [Kuwait aims to strengthen economic ties with RF] (in Russian). Vzglyad. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  26. RosBusinessConsulting
    . 17 January 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
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