Ready to help resolve Ukraine crisis, UAE president tells Putin

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday that he was ready to support efforts to find peace in Ukraine.

Sheikh Mohammed met Putin for informal talks on Sunday that went on until midnight at his residence outside Moscow, according to Reuters.

"We continue to make efforts to mediate the exchange of prisoners," Sheikh Mohammed told Putin in the Kremlin, through a translator.

"And I assure you that we will continue to work in this direction. We are ready to make any efforts to resolve crises and in the interests of peace, in the interests of both sides."

Putin has previously praised both Sheikh Mohammed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their mediation efforts over Ukraine.

UAE-Russia trade surge

Meanwhile, Putin emphasized the remarkable growth in trade between Russia and the UAE, which has tripled over the past three years, Bloomberg reported.

Putin also pointed out that bilateral investments between the two nations have surged to $7 billion, although trade has dipped slightly in the first seven months of this year—a matter the two leaders intend to address in their discussions.

During the visit, the UAE President and the Russian leader will explore various aspects of their bilateral relationship, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors such as economy, trade, investment, and energy, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

These discussions will be held within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries and will also touch on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The UAE president will participate in the 16th BRICS Summit, held in the Russian city of Kazan from October 22 to October 24, marking the UAE's debut as a member of the BRICS group.

Trade ties between the two countries have deepened in recent years. A Kremlin statement affirmed the UAE’s commitment to bolstering its relationship with Russia.

School established in Moscow

Furthermore, in a significant display of international cooperation, the UAE and Russian presidents inaugurated the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre at the Primakov School in Moscow. This event marks a pivotal moment in the strengthening of educational ties between the UAE and Russia during Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to the country.

The newly opened centre aims to foster collaboration in various fields, including Arabic language education, history, culture, arts, science, and technology. During the inauguration, the two leaders watched a comprehensive presentation that showcased the centre’s curriculum and its critical role in nurturing intellectual and creative capabilities among students from an early age.

The school also offers scholarships to talented students from approximately 50 regions across Russia.

During their visit to a classroom, the leaders listened as students spoke in Arabic about the educational opportunities provided by the centre.

The Primakov School, named after the late Yevgeny Primakov—a revered figure in Russian politics, having served as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister—reflects the historical and cultural ties between Russia and the UAE.

The Russian School in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated in 2022, operates in collaboration with the Primakov School, further strengthening the educational alliance between the two nations.