Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Abu Dhabi serves as an active platform for contacts between Russian and Ukrainian special services, primarily addressing humanitarian issues.
"Our special services, Russian and Ukrainian, have always maintained contact with each other, even during the most difficult times. They continue to do so now," Putin told journalists. "Their work focuses on resolving various humanitarian matters, primarily related to prisoner exchanges. The Abu Dhabi platform is actively used for this purpose."
The Russian leader addressed recent media speculation about a meeting in the UAE, clarifying that "nothing particularly unusual or secret occurred there." He explained that "at Ukraine's initiative, another such meeting was scheduled and took place in Abu Dhabi. Our side was represented by one of the leaders of Russia's Federal Security Service."
Putin expressed particular gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stating: "We are very grateful to the UAE President for the opportunities provided to us. Thanks to his efforts, many hundreds of our soldiers, our heroes, have returned home."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS