Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Ukrainian president in Dubai

Pair discuss increased investments between both countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during his first official visit to the UAE. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, met Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, on Monday.

Welcoming Mr Zelensky on his first official visit to the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed said he hoped the trip would lead to increased co-operation between the two countries in tourism, the economy, infrastructure and food security.

Several agreements have been signed between the two countries since Mr Zelensky arrived on Saturday, including some to encourage investment partnerships, counter crime and terrorism, amend an avoidance of double taxation, mututal recognition of driving licences and others related to tourism and food security.

"With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Dubai on his first visit to the Middle East," Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter, where he shared a photo of them.

"We have a mutual visa waiver agreement and a fast-growing $1 billion trade exchange. Dubai is home to 200 large Ukranian companies. We look forward to growing our bilateral ties."

Mr Zelensky said his government was keen to promote mutual tourism, increase Emirati investments and reinforce the cultural, humanitarian, commercial and security relations between the two countries.

He commended the UAE's significant development and said Expo 2020 Dubai would be a promising opportunity to promote Ukraine and its investment potential.

Their meeting in Dubai was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Volodymyr Zelensky meets Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi