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MOSCOW - Russia is moving towards building new geopolitical muscle based on its huge oil and gas riches: this week Moscow conceded that its policy, notably in the Middle East, has been strongly connected with energy considerations.

"The situation in the Middle East influences the world economy, notably one sector in which Russia holds a special position, the energy sector. This and many other things determine our proactive approach in the Middle East," Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talks with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on January 31. In response, Abbas told Putin that Russia has a key role to play in the Middle East.

Russia, the world's No 2 oil producer, sits on some of the biggest untapped oil and gas fields in the world. No big wonder that Moscow closely monitors developments in the Middle East, which accounts for roughly two thirds of the world's crude reserves, as any kind of transformation there could change the global oil business landscape.

In its recent Middle East dealings, Russia's emerging hydrocarbon-based geopolitical muscle featured prominently. For instance, Russia and Syria are considering signing agreements allowing Russian companies to join oil and gas projects, including development of known reserves and constructing several pipelines, including the Syrian portion of a Pan-Arab pipeline project.

As the new rush for crude gains momentum, Moscow is keen to play a role in the Middle East. Former prime minister Yevgeny Primakov, now head of Russia's Chamber of Commerce and Trade, is to visit Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iran February 6-13. The current political situation could not be more favorable for the development of economic cooperation between Russia and the Middle East, Primakov said last week. With the backdrop of Chinese competition for world oil supplies, notably deals in Iran and elsewhere, Moscow will keep a keen eye on the region.

In East Asia, Moscow's policies have been increasingly connected with the oil and gas game. Notably, the long saga of Russia's Pacific oil pipeline came as an example that there was a lot more at play than a mere commercial transaction.
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