Putin starts visit to UAE

ABU DHABI. Dec 6 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the United Arab Emirates on December 6 for a visit and negotiations with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Abu Dhabi will host Russian-UAE negotiations in the expanded format and a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Al Nahyan. The brief visit will be over later today and Putin will go to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

In both capitals, Putin will discuss bilateral relations and the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that Putin will tell his interlocutors about progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.

Another important aspect of the negotiations in both countries will be the accession of the UAE and Saudi Arabia to BRICS in 2024, when Russia will preside in the organization.

The negotiations in Saudi Arabia will address cooperation in the OPEC+.