President Sheikh Mohamed on Thursday set out the UAE's support for efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine after being met by President Vladimir Putin in Moscow during an official visit.
The UAE leader stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to the deadly war, which started in February 2022.
Sheikh Mohamed said he was proud to work with Mr Putin on "the humanitarian issue" of UAE-mediated prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, in remarks made after he received a welcoming ceremony at the Kremlin.
"I would like to once again reaffirm that the UAE fully supports any efforts aimed at achieving political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts that would help all parties to establish peace, international harmony and stability," Sheikh Mohamed said.
Mr Putin praised the UAE for helping to facilitate the release of prisoners and extended his gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed for his work to organise crucial trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi last week.
The talks took in a review of the current situation in the Middle East, with both men underlining the urgent need to achieve peace based on a two-state solution.
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin also reviewed ways to further bolster bilateral co-operation, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, technology, space, and energy.
The UAE leader highlighted the importance of two key economic agreements signed in recent month in boosting trade and investment.
The Trade in Services and Investment Agreement was signed by the UAE and Russia in August and the Economic Partnership Agreement was made by the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union – of which Russia is a member – in June.
The UAE leader's aircraft was earlier escorted by a formation of military jets as it entered Russian airspace, in a welcoming gesture and show of respect for his visit, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed's last visit to Russia came last year, when he said UAE-Russia relations were based on mutual trust and respect, as well as deep-rooted and constructive engagement spanning more than 50 years.
Sheikh Mohamed's delegation included Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President; along with a number of senior Emirati officials.
Sheikh Mohamed concluded his official visit on Thursday. His aircraft was again escorted by a formation of military jets, in a farewell gesture of honour.
