ABU DHABI, December 6 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Abu Dhabi for talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a correspondent. The leaders are expected to discuss the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as current international issues with a focus on the Middle East. This will be the second meeting between the presidents this year, with the previous one taking place in June on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where the UAE was represented as an honorary guest country.
After the talks in Abu Dhabi, Putin will head to Riyadh for a meeting with Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The Russian leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, and the heads of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev, as well as representatives of the business community.
The visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia highlights Russia’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with key Middle Eastern countries. The discussions will cover a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, energy cooperation, and regional security. Both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh play significant roles in the region and have been important partners for Russia in various sectors.
The talks are also expected to touch upon international challenges, such as the situation in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. It is worth noting that Russia has been critical of the US position backing the war in Ukraine, questioning its motives and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.
Overall, Putin’s visit to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh underscores Russia’s efforts to foster closer relations with the Middle East and assert itself as a key player in regional affairs. The outcomes of these meetings will have implications for the geopolitical landscape and global cooperation.
