President Sheikh Mohamed spoke of his wish for a calmer world during his meeting with <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/vladimir-putin/" target="_blank">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> in St Petersburg on Friday. “We hope that the world can be calmer so we can elevate this relationship,” Sheikh Mohamed said at the meeting. The President added that the UAE was open to playing a role in helping to ease tensions, in particular over the war in <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/2023/06/14/ukraine-to-be-offered-enhanced-political-relationship-with-nato/" target="_blank">Ukraine</a>. Sheikh Mohamed was on a working visit to Russia which coincided with the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, to which the UAE has sent a senior delegation, as economic ties between Russia and the Emirates grow. “Thank you for giving the UAE a greater position in this year's conference,” he said during a televised speech. The President stressed the importance of ties between the countries' public and private sectors, and added that “tourism between the UAE and Russia has grown, this is a major element in this relationship”. “We are looking forward to having more than one million Russian tourists this year,” he said. Sheikh Mohamed also emphasised the importance of communication and dialogue to support regional and international stability and peace. He reiterated the UAE’s principled position aimed at de-escalation and the necessity for a negotiated political solution to the crisis in Ukraine. “I thank you for giving the UAE, and me personally, the opportunity to play a role in the ongoing situation in Ukraine. “I want to assure you that if the UAE has any capacity to play a role to calm down the situation and to [achieve] stability, the UAE will be always there.” Sheikh Mohamed reiterated on Twitter that global peace was the goal. “Today I met with President Putin in St Petersburg to discuss bilateral relations between the UAE and Russia, and the situation in Ukraine,” he wrote. “The UAE continues to support all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution through dialogue and diplomacy – towards global peace and stability.” The UAE leader also stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to mitigate the humanitarian repercussions of the crisis and supporting prisoner-exchange initiatives on both sides. The two leaders discussed long-standing relations as part of the UAE-Russia strategic partnership framework. Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin spoke of their commitment to further build on the bilateral ties between the two nations. The working visit comes as part of the UAE’s continuous communication with all nations in an effort to build bridges and foster positive partnerships to ensure regional and international security and stability. Later on Friday, Sheikh Mohamed met the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who is heading the UAE delegation at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. They toured the UAE pavilion at the forum and discussed key exhibits with the organisers. The President was accompanied during the UAE pavilion tour by a delegation including Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafrah region; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Special Affairs Adviser at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; and Dr Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation.
