Putin is holding talks with UAE president

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin
©Pavel Bednyakov/POOL/TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has started talks with United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in St. Petersburg where the Russian leader had been staying for the past few days, the Rossiya-24 television channel reported.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said the one-on-one format was chosen for the conversation.

The Kremlin hasn’t announced the issues to be discussed at the talks. According to the UAE government newspaper Al-Bayan, the agenda includes issues of friendly relations between the UAE and Russia, and some regional and international issues that are of mutual interest. The UAE Foreign Ministry said the president’s visit aims to achieve "effective political solutions" for the crisis in Ukraine.

President Putin’s main statements made at his meeting with the UAE president:

• Russia is grateful for the mediation efforts in resolving humanitarian issues;



• Moscow is aware of the UAE’s concern about the development of the situation in Ukraine and its desire to contribute to a settlement of the crisis;



• This desire makes it possible to use the influence of the UAE to resolve the situation;



• Putin confirmed that he was aware of concerns about the Zaporozhye NPP, and promised to discuss everything in detail;



• OPEC+ decisions are not directed against anyone;



• All OPEC+ actions are aimed at creating stability in global energy markets;



• The presidents also discussed the Syria issue