MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Kuwait’s new emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, over the death of his brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Kremlin said in a report.

According to Putin's message of condolences, the deceased monarch enjoyed great prestige in the Middle East as he did a lot for the social and economic development in the Gulf Arab state.

The Russian leader also praised Sheikh Nawaf’s personal contribution to the strengthening of relations between the two countries.