Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in a rare trip for the President who currently has an international arrest warrant issued in his name.
The Russian president, who is courting allies in the Middle East, has described the UAE as Moscow’s “main economic partner in the Arab world”.
He is hoping to gain support in the Arab country whilst it hosts the COP28 climate talks.
Putin, who was escorted to the nation by four Russian fighter jets, was welcomed by his “dear friend” Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
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Trade and oil will be on the agenda, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin prior to the visit.
The trip comes as Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) which accuses him of being personally responsible for the abductions of Ukrainian children during the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.
However, the UAE has not signed the ICC founding treaty, meaning they have no obligation to detain Putin over the warrant.
Upon his arrival to the country, the Russian president was greeted by soldiers on horseback and camels, whilst Russian and Emirati flags draped the lampposts along Putin’s arrival route.
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The trip comes as Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court
Reuters
Arriving in the country for a rapid one-day tour, Putin was also treated to a 21-gun salute and a flyby of the UAE military jets trailing smoke in the colours of the Russian flag.
“I am happy to meet you again,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He later issued a statement saying they discussed “the importance of strengthening dialogue and cooperation to ensure stability and progress”.
The Russian leader echoed those sentiments.
Putin, who was escorted to the nation by four Russian fighter jets, was welcomed by his 'dear friend'
Reuters
“Our relations, largely due to your position, have reached an unprecedentedly high level,” Putin told Sheikh Mohammed.
“The UAE is Russia’s main trading partner in the Arab world.”
This is Putin’s third trip outside of Russia since he invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Prior to the UAE trip, Putin had visited both China and Iran.
