Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has held talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Abu Dhabi.
They discussed the war in Ukraine, particularly the humanitarian situation, and the global energy crisis it has caused in a meeting at Al Shati Palace.
State news agency Wam said the foremost issue was “the Ukrainian crisis and its humanitarian repercussions, and the importance of intensifying international efforts to support the humanitarian situation of civilians".
“His Highness and the British prime minister also discussed the stability of global energy markets,” Wam added.
“In this context, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated the UAE's call for the need to resort to peaceful and diplomatic means to settle various disputes, differences and files between countries in a way that serves regional and international security, stability and peace.”
In a statement from Downing Street in London, a spokesman said that the prime minister set out his “deep concerns” about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and stressed the importance of “working together to improve stability in the global energy market".
“The leaders welcomed the long-standing partnership between our two countries and discussed opportunities to increase collaboration between the UK and UAE on energy security, green technology, and trade”, according to the statement.
Mr Johnson then departed to Saudi Arabia where he is scheduled to meet the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. He is on a one-day visit to the Arabian Gulf.
UK Minister for Investment Lord Grimstone is accompanying Mr Johnson on his trip to the region.
Weaning UK off Russian oil and gas
Earlier, Mr Johnson spoke to journalists in Abu Dhabi about the war in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ruling out of Nato membership and why the UK must wean itself off Russian oil and gas as soon as possible.
“If you look at what Putin is doing in Ukraine, it’s causing global uncertainty and a spike in the price of oil,” Mr Johnson said.
“That feeds through to the forecourts in the UK. Everybody can see the effect of the increase in gas prices that’s coming through.
“We’ve got to make sure that we’re prepared, and we’re taking steps to mitigate that to help people with the cost of living.
“So, next week, we’re going to be setting out the energy strategy for the UK - massive jump forward on renewables, more nuclear, using our own hydrocarbons more effectively. Also, looking at what we can do to source hydrocarbons from places other than Russia. We have got to get off Russian hydrocarbons.”
