The UAE President emphasised the need to keep dialogue between Russia and Ukraine open, while President Putin stressed that Russia is keen on the continuation of the UAE’s mediation efforts….reports Asian Lite News
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, affirmed the UAE’s endeavour to contribute to strengthening the foundations of global peace and stability to reduce tensions and find diplomatic solutions to crises.
This came during the reception hosted in Saint Petersburg by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in honour of Sheikh Mohamed, where they reviewed a number of regional and international issues and developments of common concern during discussions.
The UAE President highlighted the importance of continuing to make unremitting efforts to find political solutions to crises and tensions, stressing the need for dialogue between all parties.
Furthermore, he underscored the UAE’s policy in support of peace and stability on the regional and international arenas, and called for the need to continue serious consultations to resolve the Ukraine crisis through dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to reach a political settlement in order to achieve global peace and security.
President Putin and President MBZ also discussed the bilateral ties between their countries.
The two leaders underscored the ongoing rapid growth seen across the UAE-Russia relations and their satisfaction with such growth.
President Putin provided a detailed brief to Sheikh Mohamed on the situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and on Russia’s efforts to maintain nuclear security.
For his part, Sheikh Mohamed said that UAE is continuing to monitor the situation at the plant.
The UAE has played a key role in the prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. President Putin expressed Russia’s appreciation for the UAE’s efforts, noting that they are a testament to its readiness to support mediation efforts.
For his part, Sheikh Mohamed briefed the Russian President on the Ukrainian side’s position on a number of issues.
The UAE President also emphasised the need to keep dialogue between Russia and Ukraine open, while President Putin stressed that Russia is keen on the continuation of the UAE’s mediation efforts.
Meanwhile, in the wake of Russian missile strikes all across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for fresh sanctions against Moscow for “such a new wave of terror”.
He made the remarks while virtually addressing G7 leaders on Tuesday during an emergency meeting over the developments in Ukraine.
Addressing the bloc which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and US, the President said: “For such a new wave of terror there must be a new wave of responsibility for Russia — new sanctions, new forms of political pressure and new forms of support for Ukraine.
“The terrorist state must be deprived of even the thought that any wave of terror can bring it anything.”
He went on to say that at the level of the entire G7 and the democratic world, “we must respond symmetrically: when Russia attacks the energy sector and energy stability of our countries, we must block its energy sector with sanctions, break the stability of Russian revenues from oil and gas trade”.
“A tough price cap is needed for the exports of oil and gas from Russia — zero profit for the terrorist state. Such steps can bring peace closer, they will encourage the terrorist state to think about peace, about the unprofitability of war.”
Zelenksy also stressed on the “obvious fact” that there cannot be any dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Talks can be either with another head of Russia, who will comply with the UN Charter, the basic principles of humanity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, or in a different configuration, so that the key terrorist does not have the opportunity to influence key decisions through terror.
“Now one person is blocking peace, and this person is in Moscow,” he added.
Responding to the Ukrainian leader’s call, the G7 leaders in a joint statement condemned the missile attacks in the strongest possible and said that “we will hold President Putin and those responsible to account”.