UAE, Russian Presidents Discuss Strategic Partnership and Developments in Gaza

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin (WAM)
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UAE, Russian Presidents Discuss Strategic Partnership and Developments in Gaza

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving Russian President Vladimir Putin (WAM)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed the bilateral ties between the UAE and Russia and explored prospects to enhance relations within the context of the strategic partnership.

Wednesday’s talks addressed various regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Sheikh Mohammed received Putin, who arrived on a state visit at Qasr al-Watan in Abu Dhabi.

The two leaders exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, focusing on the "developments in Palestine, emphasizing the need for international action to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, protect civilians, and ensure the safe, unimpeded, and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid."

Both sides underscored the importance of "working towards a clear horizon for a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region based on the two-state solution."

The meeting also addressed recent developments in Ukraine.

The Emirati President emphasized that the UAE is committed to resolving conflicts worldwide through diplomacy and dialogue, asserting that it comes within UAE's "established policy of promoting peace, cooperation, and stability regionally and globally to enhance international peace and security."

The meeting touched upon the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) held at Expo City Dubai.

The Russian President hoped the conference would "yield outcomes that contribute to finding constructive solutions to climate challenges and enhancing international climate action for the benefit of all of humanity."

Sheikh Mohamed affirmed the "UAE's commitment to building bridges of cooperation with various countries to support initiatives that promote global stability and prosperity for all."

Putin commended the UAE's role at the international level, mainly through its membership in the UN Security Council, as well as its efforts to foster global stability, according to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).



Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
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Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa received a delegation from Bahrain on Wednesday and met with the Bahraini foreign minister, state media reported.

The visit was the latest in a flurry of diplomatic overtures by Arab countries to Syria’s new leaders after they overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning rebel offensive.

Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain had cut off diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad’s rule during the Syrian civil war, but it reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and gradually restored ties with the Assad government.

Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit, and days after Assad’s ouster it had sent a message to al-Sharaa offering its cooperation with the new authorities and saying, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.”