UAE President set to meet Putin in Russia after OPEC+ announcement on oil production cuts

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan is scheduled to travel to Russia to hold talks with Russian President Vlimir Putin on Tuesday, October 11, according to a report by UAE’s state-owned news agency WAM. A statement by UAE’s ministry revealed that Mohamed “will discuss with President Putin friendly relations between UAE and Russia along with a number of regional and international issues and developments of common interest.”

This visit also comes at a time when Russia has launched multiple strikes on Ukraine, killing at least 11 in Kyiv. World leers and organizations such as UN and EU have condemned Russia for its 'brutal' attacks on Ukraine.

Arab leer’s visit also comes days after Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to sharply cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day, which is deepest drop in oil production since COVID-19 pandemic, according to CNN. This sparked criticism from United States, which said in an official statement that President Joe Biden “is disappointed by shortsighted decision by OPEC+ to cut production quotas while global economy is dealing with continued negative impact of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.”  

“At a time when maintaining a global supply of energy is of paramount importance, this decision will have most negative impact on lower- and middle-income countries that are alrey reeling from elevated energy prices,” said national security viser Jake Sullivan and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese in statement, ding that Biden ministration will “consult with Congress on ditional tools and authorities to reduce OPEC’s control over energy prices.”

Russia-UAE ties

Earlier this year in March, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, discussed Russia-UAE ties,  war in Ukraine and need to keep energy market stey, with Russian President Vlimir Putin. 

Mohamed, in a telephonic conversation with Putin, emphasized importance of finding a peaceful solution to Russia-Ukraine conflict  “in a way that maintains interests and national security of all parties,” WAM reported on March 1. Arab leer furr said that UAE will continue “its coordinations with concerned parties in order to help find a sustainable political solution to ongoing crisis.”