Aden (South24 Center)

Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi on Tuesday (May 27) began an official visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, amid intensifying political developments surrounding the Yemeni crisis.

According to Yemen's official Saba News Agency, citing a high-ranking presidential source, Alimi is scheduled to hold talks with President Putin focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, discussing developments in the Yemeni crisis, and addressing regional and international security issues. 

The source noted that the visit's agenda includes meetings with senior Russian government officials, as well as representatives from political, intellectual and diplomatic circles concerned with Yemeni affairs. 

According to a Kremlin statement, President Putin will hold talks with the PLC Chairman on May 28 in Moscow. “The leaders are to discuss prospects for cultivating Russia-Yemen ties in the political sphere, trade and economy, and humanitarian and cultural affairs, as well as a number of pressing regional issues,” it said.

Accompanying President Alimi on this visit are Foreign Minister and Expatriates Dr. Sha’if Al-Zandani, along with advisors on defense and security, development and reconstruction, and cultural affairs, yementv reported.

The visit comes within the broader diplomatic efforts led by Yemen's Presidential Council chairman and members to mobilize coordinated international support regarding the crisis, amidst a dire humanitarian and economic crisis and continued stagnation in the peace process.

This marks the first such visit by the Chairman since the Yemeni Presidential Council's formation in April 2022. Council members, including Southern Transitional Council President Aidrous al-Zubaidi and Tareq Saleh, had previously visited Moscow.

Between 1967-1990, Soviet Russia was the primary ally of South Yemen under what was then described as a strategic relationship. 

The visit reflects Yemen's efforts to diversify its international alliances as the conflict enters its tenth year, as Russia maintains historical leverage in Yemen dating to the Cold War era, though its current influence remains limited compared to the regional powers.