UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed (R) receives Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport in Abu Dhabi on December 06, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

During a meeting in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Putin said the bilateral relationship is at an unprecedented height and industrial cooperation is progressing, including cooperation in the construction of production facilities in both the UAE and Russia. Several major projects are being implemented in the oil and gas sector.

The UAE President pointed out that the UAE is Russia's largest trading partner in the Middle East. The are discussing the regional agenda within the framework of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Later in the day, Putin made an official visit to Saudi Arabia where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh. They focused their discussion on trade, economics, investment cooperation, interaction in multilateral frameworks, and the North-South transportation corridor.