Putin labels creation of a Palestinian state 'a matter of principle'

2026-01-29 - 13:20

Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the creation of an independent Palestinian state as a core prerequisite for lasting Middle East peace. During official talks with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Kremlin on Thursday, Putin asserted that resolving this issue is "a matter of principle" essential for achieving sustainable regional stability. Discussions on Gaza and Monitoring Iran Tensions Opening the meeting, Putin noted the leaders' frequent discussions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Gaza's humanitarian crisis. He stated that a "full-fledged Palestinian State" coexisting peacefully with Israel would enable a durable settlement. The Russian leader also said Moscow is closely monitoring the escalating situation in Iran following threats of US military action, highlighting another volatile flashpoint. Praising UAE's Diplomatic Role on Ukraine Putin expressed gratitude for the UAE's diplomatic efforts concerning the war in Ukraine, specifically citing its role in facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting recent US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi. "We appreciate it very much," Putin told his guest, acknowledging the platform provided for trilateral security negotiations. These talks, held on January 23-24, are part of ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict. Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Shared Goals UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed his country's commitment to deepening relations with Russia and pursuing shared development objectives. He thanked Putin for Russia's openness on humanitarian issues like prisoner swaps and emphasized the UAE's strong support for political and diplomatic solutions to global conflicts. Ahead of the visit, a Kremlin spokesman described the UAE as Russia's primary trading partner in the Arab world, noting the successful expansion of cooperation across numerous sectors. This high-level dialogue underscores the UAE's growing role as a diplomatic intermediary and the continued importance of Russia's partnerships in the Middle East, a region where Türkiye also maintains active and complex engagements.