Putin Meets UAE Leader in Moscow Ahead of New Ukraine Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Moscow yesterday, setting the stage for a second round of talks on the ongoing Ukraine war, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates has increasingly positioned itself as a key mediator in the nearly four-year conflict, helping facilitate prisoner exchanges and hosting high-level discussions between US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials on a potential US-drafted peace plan.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Sunday, though it remains unclear if US officials will participate.

During the televised meeting, Putin praised the UAE’s efforts. “I would like to commend the Emirati side’s efforts in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, their contribution to prisoner exchanges, and assistance in organizing contacts in the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

Several senior Russian officials joined Putin, including Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Notably, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a prominent Kremlin loyalist who rarely attends bilateral foreign meetings, was also present.

Al Nahyan emphasized the UAE’s commitment to dialogue, saying he supports “constructive dialogue and efforts aimed at promoting necessary diplomatic solutions.”

As the world watches, this meeting signals both countries’ determination to play a pivotal role in easing tensions, offering a glimmer of hope for diplomacy amid ongoing conflict. For many, it’s a reminder that behind the headlines, leaders’ efforts can slowly pave the way for real human impacts — families reunited, negotiations progressing, and cautious optimism emerging in a war-weary region.