The two top diplomats also discussed the stability of global energy and commodities markets, including the global grain supply, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday and underscored the urgent need to reach a peaceful settlement in the Ukraine issue.
The two top diplomats also discussed the stability of global energy and commodities markets, including the global grain supply.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the UAE’s readiness to support all efforts aimed at finding a solution to the crisis, including a ceasefire. He underlined the importance of maintaining sustainable regional and international peace, security, and stability. Furthermore, he noted that the UAE is committed to constructive diplomacy aimed at de-escalation.
Sheikh Abdullah also expressed the UAE’s deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilians. He addressed possible mechanisms to alleviate civilian suffering and underscored the importance of ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid and relief in line with international humanitarian law. He highlighted the role of the United Nations in this regard and reiterated the UAE’s support for its humanitarian work.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed bin Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to Russia, and Abdulnasser Al Shaali, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“The UAE welcomes all mediation efforts to bring the parties together and to prioritise regional and international peace and stability,” Sheikh Abdullah told a news conference. “We also stressed the need to intensify efforts to consider the available options on humanitarian issues, most importantly unimpeded humanitarian access that would ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.”
He also affirmed the UAE’s confidence in the parties’ ability to seek a political solution, and to build on the existing talks between the parties. “The UAE is fully prepared to support all efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict. We also affirm our full readiness to engage with all parties to reach a ceasefire agreement.”
They have also discussed the global energy supply and commodities markets.
“Lavrov and I stress the importance of stability in energy markets for the global economy. The security of global food supplies is also essential. Many countries around the world in our region and beyond are deeply dependent on the import and export of grain and other essentials of the world’s food supply chains.”
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Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Minister underlined the strategic relations between the UAE and the Russia, pointing out that the volume of non-oil trade between the two countries amounted to $5 billion by the end of last year.
Lavrov hailed the ongoing Emirati-Russian cooperation in various fields, including at the international level, in light of the UAE’s current membership of the United Nations Security Council.
The Russian top diplomat touched on a number of political files in various countries, including in Syria, Sudan and Yemen. He noted in this regard that the Russian Federation condemned the attacks on civil facilities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, stressing that diplomacy is the only solution to the Yemeni crisis.