Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed the situation in the Gulf and the war in Ukraine during a phone call on Thursday, while also reviewing bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.
The Kremlin said both sides stressed the need for a quick agreement to help normalise conditions in the Gulf, while taking into account the legitimate interests of countries in the region. Putin also briefed his Emirati counterpart on the latest developments in Ukraine.
Gulf situation and calls for de-escalation
According to the Kremlin, Putin and Mohammed bin Zayed discussed the current situation in the Gulf in detail and underlined the importance of steps that could help stabilise the region.
The statement said Moscow emphasised that any effort to address tensions should consider the interests of Gulf states, as the region continues to face political and security challenges.
Ukraine war discussed
On Ukraine, the Kremlin said Putin updated the UAE leader on what Moscow calls its “special military operation,” the term Russia uses for its war in Ukraine.
The statement also said the discussion touched on what the Kremlin described as an escalation by Kyiv against civilians and civilian infrastructure, without providing further details.
UAE role in prisoner exchanges
The Kremlin thanked the UAE leadership for helping organise prisoner-of-war and detainee exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, an area where Abu Dhabi has played a mediation role during the conflict.
The UAE has presented itself as a diplomatic intermediary in several humanitarian and political matters linked to the war, including prisoner swaps.
Bilateral ties between Russia and the UAE
The Kremlin said the call was “constructive and friendly” and that both sides expressed mutual interest in further developing Russia-UAE cooperation across multiple fields.
In a separate statement, the UAE said Sheikh Mohammed and Putin reviewed the strategic partnership between the two countries and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in ways that serve shared interests.
Regional and international issues
The Emirati statement said the two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially developments in the Middle East and efforts to support stability, security and peace.
Both sides, it added, discussed ways to promote regional stability in a way that benefits the peoples and states of the area.
Conclusion:
The call between Putin and Mohammed bin Zayed highlights continued political coordination between Russia and the UAE on sensitive regional and international issues, including the Gulf and Ukraine. It also underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing role in humanitarian mediation and diplomatic contacts related to the war.
