Putin Thanks UAE President for Mediation Efforts in Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan for his mediation efforts in the Ukraine war.

As Russian and Ukrainian negotiators prepare for another round of peace talks scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed met Putin at the Kremlin during an official visit to Moscow.

According to the Emirates News Agency, Putin expressed his appreciation to the UAE for hosting trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States.

Sheikh Mohammed said he was proud of the UAE’s role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and reaffirmed his country’s readiness to support “all constructive efforts” on key humanitarian issues.

The two leaders also discussed recent developments in the Middle East. On the Israel-Palestine conflict, they stressed the “urgent need” to intensify efforts toward a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

They further explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, space and energy.

Russia and the UAE have deepened ties in recent years and signed two major trade and economic partnership agreements last summer.