Follow-up: The UAE leader arrived in Moscow after talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi

Russia appreciates the contribution of the United Arab Emirates to the organization of contacts on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, in particular, to the holding of trilateral negotiations between the Russian Federation, the United States and Ukraine. Vladimir Putin said this on January 29 at a meeting with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The upcoming round is scheduled for February 1, but it will be held without the American side. The Kremlin said that this would be agreed upon right up to the meeting itself. The topic of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in particular the situation in the Gaza Strip, was also raised during the conversation in Moscow.

Why did Zayed Al Nahyan come to Moscow again

On January 29, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in the Russian capital. The last time he came to Moscow for talks with the Russian leader was just six months ago, in August 2025.

The current meeting is particularly noteworthy in the context of last week's events: negotiations between the delegations of Russia, the United States and Ukraine took place in Abu Dhabi. They took place on January 23 and 24. Against this background, the Russian leader noted the UAE's contribution to the settlement process.

— I would like to emphasize the efforts of the Emirati side in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, its contribution to the exchange of detainees and assistance in organizing contacts in various forms on the territory of the United Arab Emirates. We appreciate it very much, Your Highness. We are grateful to you personally for ensuring that the trilateral talks within the framework of the security working group were held in Abu Dhabi last week, and for the attention you paid to our delegation," Vladimir Putin said.

A new meeting of representatives of Russia and Ukraine is expected in Abu Dhabi on February 1. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, did not rule out that, if necessary, negotiations, as last time, could last more than one day. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that although the upcoming meeting would be held "in a bilateral format" between Moscow and Kiev, representatives of Washington could take part. He also noted that the special envoy of the US President Steve Witkoff and the son-in-law of the American leader Jared Kushner would not be present at the talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council on Interethnic Relations under the President of Russia, told Izvestia that it is extremely difficult to expect concrete results from the talks between Russia and Ukraine on February 1 in Abu Dhabi.

— Previous meetings in the UAE did not produce tangible results: despite statements about constructiveness and a positive atmosphere, neither agreements nor even framework decisions were presented to the public. So the transition to a bilateral format without the participation of the United States may indicate just the opposite," Bogdan Bezpalko reflects.

In his opinion, on the one hand, Washington could come to the conclusion that negotiations were completely unproductive and begin to gradually withdraw from the process, without formally abandoning the idea of a peaceful settlement. On the other hand, the opposite scenario is also possible: key decisions have already been agreed, and the February 1 meeting can be used to finalize agreements.

The most controversial issues remain the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass, the status of the Zaporizhia NPP, and guarantees of Ukraine's security from the West. However, according to Rubio, the list of difficult topics in the framework of the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine has been reduced to territories.

Rubio also noted that the issue of security guarantees to Kiev had allegedly already been resolved. But Moscow's consent to possible Western security guarantees for Ukraine has not yet been received, the US Secretary of State added.

— He (Rubio. — Ed.) said that the issue of security guarantees has been resolved. We do not know what guarantees they agreed on, but, apparently, guarantees to the very Ukrainian regime that pursues a Russophobic, neo-Nazi policy. And if the goal is to preserve the regime in some part of the territory of the former Ukraine and continue to make this regime a springboard for creating threats against the Russian Federation, then you will probably realize for yourself that such security guarantees can hardly provide reliable measures," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on the sidelines of the Russian- the Emirati negotiations.

He recalled that the security guarantees were agreed back in April 2022 in Istanbul, and the main project was proposed by the Ukrainian side. At the same time, Russia has repeatedly stated that the idea of deploying Western troops on the territory of a neighboring country is unacceptable.

What is happening in the Middle East

The Presidents of Russia and the UAE also devoted a lot of time to economic development and humanitarian cooperation. In particular, this is an increase in trade turnover, an increase in tourist traffic and future projects in the energy sector. Relations between the UAE and Russia are based on a deep legacy of fruitful cooperation that has lasted for more than 50 years, the UAE President noted.

— Our countries are linked by partnership relations, sustainable cooperation for development in various areas of the economy, energy, investment, trade, technology and other areas. We are committed to strengthening these relations and implementing development goals and partnerships in the interests of both countries," said Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

At the same time, the negotiations, as expected, went beyond the framework of the bilateral agenda and also touched upon key issues in the Middle East. Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is closely monitoring the development of the situation around the Iranian track, which, along with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, remains one of the most sensitive elements of the regional security architecture. Against the background of the talks, Reuters, citing sources, reported that US President Donald Trump is considering the possibility of targeted strikes against Iran's leadership and security forces in order, according to Washington's idea, to inspire protesters to seize government buildings.

The leaders paid special attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip. The problem becomes relevant in the context of the discussion of the "Peace Council" initiated by US President Donald Trump. The foreign ministers of a number of Muslim countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, expressed support for the American idea. Formally, it is conceived as a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of agreements in Gaza, but in the future it may turn into a broader international platform with its own institutions and mandate, which cannot but arouse the interest of key regional players.

— We have repeatedly discussed the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and joint efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Of course, it is crucial to resolve the issue related to the formation of a full-fledged Palestinian State that would coexist in peace and security with Israel. This will make it possible to achieve a sustainable settlement and ensure long—term stability in the region," the Russian leader said.

In addition to the Palestinian issue, the parties probably touched upon other hotbeds of tension. The Syrian settlement could be on the agenda — against the background of the visit of President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Moscow on January 28 — as well as the situation in Yemen and the safety of navigation in the Red Sea, where the Emirates traditionally play an active role. In December 2025, the conflict in Yemen escalated after the seizure of the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra by the UAE-backed UPC separatists. The authorities, with the support of the Saudi coalition, broke the agreement with the Emirates and launched a military operation, after which a split occurred in the UPS. By January 11, government forces announced the restoration of control over the south and east of the country.