CAIRO, October 12. /TASS/. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated his country’s readiness to mediate contacts between Russia and Ukraine during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, the WAM news agency reported on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Putin "expressed Russia's appreciation for the UAE's efforts, noting that they are a testament to its readiness to support mediation efforts," the agency reported.

In this regard, the UAE president "briefed the Russian President on the Ukrainian side's position on a number of issues."

In turn, the Russian leader "briefed His Highness Sheikh Mohamed on the situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and on Russia's efforts to maintain nuclear security."

On top of that, the two presidents addressed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, "underscored the ongoing rapid growth seen across the UAE-Russia relations and their satisfaction with such growth."

Beginning his meeting with the Russian president on Tuesday, Al Nahayn said the trade turnover between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia has increased from $2.5 billion to $5 billion at present. The number of Russian tourists visiting the UAE has reached 500,000, while four thousand Russian companies are currently operating on the territory of the UAE, he added.

The third UAE president visited Russia for the first time since being elected to the post by the Supreme Federal Council on May 14. However, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has already visited Russia 11 times since 1995. In October 2019, Al Nahyan received Putin as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi during the Russian leader’s state visit to the UAE.

The Middle Eastern country decided not to impose anti-Russian sanctions after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine. In a phone conversation with Putin on March 1, Al Nahyan acknowledged Russia’s right to protect its national security.