The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held a deliberative session with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, focusing on bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments. During his official visit to Russia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his pleasure in meeting President Putin, appreciating the cooperation that has existed between the two countries on various fronts.
In a tweet following the meeting, the UAE President stated: "I met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg... We discussed several issues and developments of mutual interest, primarily the updates on the Ukrainian crisis and the importance of supporting diplomatic efforts that serve all parties and achieve peace and stability in the world."
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the significant role of the UAE in the region, affirming that Moscow seeks to achieve stability in global energy markets.
Earlier, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, stated that "the visit of His Highness the President to Russia was pre-scheduled within the framework of bilateral relations and among our independent sovereign choices. Nonetheless, the escalation witnessed in the war in Ukraine requires an urgent solution through diplomacy and dialogue, and respect for the rules and principles of international law. This is the steadfast and firm position of the UAE."
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday evening that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit to Russia "comes as part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to contribute to achieving security and stability in the region and the world, enhancing fruitful and constructive cooperation with regional and international powers, and communicating with all relevant parties in the crisis in Ukraine to help reach effective political solutions." The ministry noted that "the bilateral discussions would address the latest developments concerning the crisis in Ukraine, as the state seeks to achieve positive outcomes aimed at de-escalating military tensions, mitigating humanitarian impacts, and reaching a political settlement for global peace and security."
