Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday thanked the UAE President for his efforts in freeing prisoners of war in Ukraine and praised “expanding economic ties” between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.
Putin made the comments during talks with UAE President Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of Russia’s annual economic forum in St Petersburg, where UAE companies are prominent.
The UAE, like Saudi Arabia, is a member of the Opec+ alliance that includes Russia and it has maintained good ties with Moscow amid Western concerns over the Ukraine conflict.
The UAE has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow, while Dubai, long popular with Russian tourists, has become a magnet for Russian business people over the past 16 months, with busy direct flights to Moscow and expanding economic ties.
“I know that the Emirates’ economy and the social sphere are developing really actively under your leadership and, in this sense, for us, of course, the Emirates is a very good and comfortable partner,” Putin told the UAE President.
“Relations between Russia and the Emirates are developing really successfully,” he added.
The UAE has helped mediate at least one sensitive prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
“(The exchanges) matter to specific people, and that is always the most important thing, so thank you very much for that as well,” Putin said.
Shaikh Mohammed, who called Putin “my friend” according to a Kremlin transcript, said his nation was ready to help further on Ukraine.
“... if you think that the Emirates can play a role in the stabilisation of the situation there, in humanitarian issues – we are ready to assist in every way possible,” it cited him as telling Putin.
“The UAE continues to support all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution through dialogue & diplomacy...,” he tweeted separately after the meeting.
Shaikh Mohammed said he hoped the UAE could welcome one million Russian tourists this year.
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