Vladimir Putin hailed the strong relations shared with the UAE during talks with President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday and thanked him for the role the country has played in mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Sheikh Mohamed acknowledged Russia's co-operation was key to ensuring it was a success and reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to carrying out such "humanitarian endeavours".
“The Emirates is always ready to make any additional efforts for this cause, as well as any effort to help with the settling crises in a way that can benefit all parties and support peace in the world," Sheikh Mohamed said during talks held at the Kremlin as part of a reception to honour his official visit to Russia.
On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it had mediated and completed the swap of 190 prisoners of war, marking the ninth successful exchange arbitration involving the UAE this year. The fighting between Russia and Ukraine started in February 2022.
During the talks, the two sides also reviewed progress in partnerships across areas of economy, trade, investment, space and energy. They also explored ways to strengthen ties and develop relations across other vital sectors.
Sheikh Mohamed, who will also take part in the 16th Brics summit in Kazan, thanked Russia for its presidency and "reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building effective partnerships", state news agency Wam reported on Monday. Brics was formed in 2009 to serve and promote the interests of the world's leading developing nations.
The leaders also reviewed the situation in the Middle East, with Sheikh Mohamed underscoring the need to prevent the further escalation of regional conflict and reiterating the call for "just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution".
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and several Russian ministers and senior officials.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre opens
Sheikh Mohamed and Putin attended the opening of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre at Primakov School in Moscow, as the two countries enhance co-operation in the field of education.
The leaders toured the centre and interacted with students and staff. A presentation on the centre’s curriculum highlighted particular focus on the Arabic language, as well as history, culture, arts, and science and technology.
Naming the centre after Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, recognises her global efforts and campaigns aimed at supporting education, said Dr Mohammed Al Jaber, ambassador to the Russian Federation.
The school will feature plaques displaying famous quotes by UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, alongside quotes from Mr Putin.
Dr Sergey Kravtsov, Russia's Minister of Education, provided an overview of the school's objectives, focusing on nurturing a generation of high achievers and said it offers scholarships to students from approximately 50 regions across Russia.
The Primakov School in Moscow was named after the late Yevgeny Primakov, a former prime minister and foreign minister of Russia. Meanwhile, the Russian School in Abu Dhabi, run in collaboration with the Primakov School, opened in 2022 as the first Russian school in the UAE.
