MOSCOW/ABU DHABI May 16, 2026 — Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday to address the ongoing crisis in Iran and broader Middle East tensions.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders emphasized the need to advance political and diplomatic efforts, fully accommodate the interests of all regional countries, and work toward compromise peace agreements.
The discussion comes amid heightened concerns over the Iran conflict, including risks to regional stability, international maritime navigation through key routes like the Strait of Hormuz, global energy supplies, and the broader economy. Both sides stressed de-escalation and dialogue as the path forward.
President Putin also thanked the UAE for its continued mediation role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. The latest deal, brokered by Abu Dhabi, involved the release of 205 captives on each side — marking the 23rd such exchange facilitated by the UAE, with over 7,100 total releases to date.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong progress in bilateral political, trade, and economic cooperation between Russia and the UAE.
This latest high-level contact underscores the UAE’s growing role as a diplomatic bridge in regional and international crises, even as it maintains strong ties with multiple global powers. The call follows a series of earlier conversations between the two presidents earlier in 2026 focused on Middle East security.
No further details on specific outcomes or next steps were immediately released, but the conversation signals continued coordination among key players seeking to prevent further escalation in the region.
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