August 9, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: As Russia-US relations in Eastern Europe were strained once again, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday chose the United Arab Emirates as a possible site for a key meeting with former US President Donald Trump. Putin praised the UAE’s expanding diplomatic role and said the nation “would be among the rather appropriate venues” for a meeting, standing next to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during an official visit to Moscow.

Putin remarked, according to AP and AFP, “We have many pals who are ready to assist us in arranging such activities. The head of the United Arab Emirates is one of them.

If the meet gets a go-ahead, it will mark the first real talk between the Russian and American chiefs since 2021, which could mean a fresh start for the long-tense Russia-US relations. A person from the Kremlin said that talks about a Trump-Putin meet are moving fast and could happen as soon as next week.

Regarding the Russia-US relations, both the US and Russia have shown interest in a talk, but where the meet will be is still not set. A White House official, meanwhile, admitted the UAE is highly considered as a host country given its neutral stance and past track record of handling humanitarian aid in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Strategic UAE Role Raises Profile of World Diplomacy

The statement was made as President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed began a state visit to Moscow and was warmly welcomed at Vnukovo Airport. Russian military planes flew an air escort for UAE aircraft upon his arrival, followed by a complete formal welcome with honor guard and national songs.

President Mohamed had with him a top team made up of big names like Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the man in charge of special work for the President; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, who gives advice to the UAE President; and many other people who look after foreign trade, new tech, and key study.

In past months, the UAE has helped a lot in making good things happen between Russia and Ukraine, like swaps of prisoners and paths for help.  Russia’s head, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine’s top man, Volodymyr Zelensky, both gave high marks to the big wins of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi’s capacity to hold such a vital meeting points to the increasing role the Emirates serve in directing world peace negotiations and supporting honest diplomacy.

 Should the gathering occur on UAE soil, it would represent a major turning point in Russia -US relations and a notable occurrence in the foreign policy environment of the area.

In Russia-US Relations, Peace Negotiations Remain Unclear, Yet Diplomatic Openings Still Exist

Although the Kremlin was hopeful for a Trump-Putin meeting beyond Russia-US relations, the path to more general peace is still not apparent. Putin said guardedly when questioned about a possible conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky, “I have nothing against it usually – it is possible – but particular circumstances have to be established. Sadly, we are yet far from that.”

Observers point out that although a conference hosted in the United Arab Emirates might indicate change in Russia-US relations, it won’t by itself settle the Ukraine crisis. Any attempt to restart high-level talks, though, can set the stage for a more lasting settlement.

The intended Trump-Putin meeting comes just before a White House deadline for Russia to demonstrate improvement on bringing the three-year Ukraine conflict to an end. Trump may use the opportunity to show himself as a great negotiator should he return to the White House in 2025, having openly expressed his wish to broker peace.

Given ongoing disputes but open diplomatic channels, the UAE’s proposal to host discussions implies both tactical neutrality and rising clout. Regardless of whether or not the summit produces concrete outcomes, one cannot discount the possibility it would transform Russia-US relations going forward.

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