Putin and Al Nahyan start talks in St. Petersburg

Presidents of Russia and the United Arab Emirates Vladimir Putin and Sheikh Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan began talks on the sidelines SPIEF in St. Petersburg, transmits Kremlin press office.

“I am very glad to welcome you to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. <...> I know that the economy of the Emirates and the social sphere are developing very actively under your leadership. In this sense, the Emirates is, of course, a good and comfortable partner for us. Relations between Russia and the Emirates are developing quite successfully,” Putin said.

The Russian leader also thanked the UAE president for his efforts to resolve humanitarian issues “related to the exchange of detainees” and a number of other similar humanitarian issues.

In turn, the UAE President thanked the Russian side for the efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries and noted that the UAE is ready to assist in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Sheikh Al Nahyan also noted that the Emirates expect to receive about 1 million Russian tourists.

Former press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov toldthat the bilateral talks between the leaders of Russia and the UAE were preceded by an inspection of the Emirati pavilion in the fields SPIEF. Peskov called the UAE the main guest of the forum this year. A high-ranking Arab delegation arrived at SPIEF, which includes the Emir of Ras al-Khaimah and a member of the Supreme Union Council of the UAE, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi.

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, during the meeting, the leaders of the states will consider the work of the SPIEF and the development of relations between Russia and the UAE, as well as discuss a number of international and regional issues. Ushakov added that Putin’s meetings with Al Nahyan are quite frequent (he came to Russia for the 12th time) and the presidents have developed “trusting and constructive relations.”

In total, Al Nahyan visited Russia 11 times in various capacities, and in 2019 he received the Russian president. Their previous meeting passed in October 2022 in St. Petersburg. Then the sheikh informed the Russian leader that the UAE was ready to take on the role of an intermediary between Moscow and Kiev. In turn, Putin spoke about the situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and about Moscow’s efforts to ensure nuclear safety. In addition, the parties touched upon the issues of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.