Putin calls UAE one of suitable venues for his meeting with Trump

MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the United Arab Emirates (UAE) one of suitable venues for his meeting with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.

"We have many friends who are ready to help us organize an event of the kind. The UAE president is one of those friends. I believe we will make a decision, but that would be one of suitable venues," Putin told the press on Thursday.

He thus answered a question where the meeting could take place.

Journalists asked Putin about his upcoming meeting with Trump in the presence of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Kremlin. They started asking questions as the presidents were walking through Kremlin halls.

Putin was also asked which side initiated his possible meeting with Trump.

"Both sides showed the interest. It does not matter who said what word first," he said.

Putin also said his meeting with Vladimir Zelensky was possible but reiterated that this requires certain conditions, which are not in place now.

"I've said on numerous occasions that I have no objections to this on the whole. This is possible, but certain preconditions must be provided for it," Putin told journalists in reply to a corresponding question.

"Unfortunately, we're still a long way off" having such preconditions, he said.