Participation in meeting with Emir of Qatar emphasizes Kadyrov's role in Kremlin's Middle East policy

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, acts as an informal mediator in relations with Islamic states, but has little freedom of manoeuvre in building personal relations with Middle-Eastern leaders.

Kadyrov has voiced out cooperation options with Syria as part of the Russian authorities’ PR campaign, who are trying to save face after the fall of the Assad regime, analysts have noted.

Dmitry Mikulsky, a chief researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), believes that Chechen leader is an important figure in Russia's relations with the Middle East.

"This is part of the Russia’s ‘soft power’ strategy, where Chechnya is positioned as an example of successful integration of a Muslim region into the Russian state. Kadyrov has personal ties with elites of the Persian Gulf countries, which have been built up over the years through religious, cultural and economic contacts. In particular, he met with members of the royal families of Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and attracted investments from these countries to Chechnya," Mr Mikulsky has explained.

In his opinion, Kadyrov's position in the Middle-Eastern diplomacy has however limited independence.

"He acts within the framework of Russia's foreign policy strategy, but has little freedom of manoeuvre in building personal relationships," Dmitry Mikulsky has concluded.

Kadyrov is the face of the Russia’s Islamic society, Ruslan Kutaev, a political analyst, believes. In his opinion, Kadyrov has never conducted any independent policy.