MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, January 29, 2026, reiterated that the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state is “a matter of principle” for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East, as he hosted UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for official talks in the Kremlin.
Opening the meeting, Putin noted that he and the UAE leader had repeatedly discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and joint efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “It is a matter of principle to resolve the issue of establishing a full-fledged Palestinian State that would coexist in peace and security with Israel,” Putin stated. “This will make it possible to achieve a sustainable settlement and ensure long-term stability in the region.”
The Russian president’s remarks come amid ongoing international debates over the two-state solution, stalled peace negotiations, and the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza following prolonged conflict. Russia has consistently advocated for Palestinian statehood within the framework of UN resolutions, including the establishment of a state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Putin also addressed recent tensions involving Iran, confirming that Moscow is closely monitoring developments after US President Donald Trump threatened potential military strikes against the Islamic Republic. Putin did not elaborate further on the issue during the opening remarks but signaled Russia’s continued attention to the situation.
The Kremlin meeting highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Putin expressed gratitude for the UAE’s role in facilitating dialogue related to the Ukraine conflict, particularly its hosting of US-mediated talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi on January 23–24, 2026. “We appreciate it very much, Your Highness,” Putin said. “We are grateful to you personally for ensuring that the trilateral negotiations within the framework of the working group on security were held in Abu Dhabi last week, and for the attention you paid to our delegation.”
The Abu Dhabi discussions focused on humanitarian aspects, including prisoner exchanges, and marked one of the few direct channels of communication between Moscow and Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
For his part, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Russia and advancing shared development goals across economic, energy, investment, and humanitarian domains. He thanked Putin for Russia’s openness to humanitarian initiatives concerning Ukraine, including prisoner swaps, and emphasized the UAE’s firm support for political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts as a means to promote international peace and stability.
The visit, which began on Thursday, was described by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as a significant milestone in Russian-Emirati relations. Peskov earlier called the UAE “Russia’s main trading partner in the Arab world,” noting that cooperation is developing successfully across nearly all sectors—from energy and trade to technology and security.
“Therefore, today is the day of Russian-Emirati relations and Russian-Emirati friendship,” Peskov added, underscoring the mutual interest in further expanding the partnership.
Bilateral trade between Russia and the UAE has grown substantially in recent years, with the Emirates serving as a key hub for Russian businesses navigating Western sanctions. The UAE has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict while continuing high-level engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv.
The Kremlin talks are expected to cover a broad agenda, including energy cooperation, investment in infrastructure projects, joint efforts in the BRICS framework (both countries are members), and coordination on regional stability issues in the Middle East and beyond.
Putin’s reaffirmation of support for Palestinian statehood aligns with Russia’s long-standing diplomatic position and contrasts with the more conditional approaches taken by some Western capitals. The emphasis on coexistence “in peace and security with Israel” reflects Moscow’s stated goal of a balanced settlement acceptable to both sides.
The visit by President Mohamed bin Zayed marks the latest in a series of high-level exchanges between Moscow and Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a pivotal partner for Russia in the Global South and the Arab world amid shifting global alignments.
