Putin Open to Trump and Zelensky Talks, Touts UAE as Potential Venue

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow attaches great importance to its relationship with the United Arab Emirates, highlighting a marked increase in trade and investment and expressing confidence that cooperation will continue to deepen. He added that the two nations will exchange views on regional developments. Putin told reporters, according to the Tass and Interfax news agencies, that both Russia and the United States share an interest in holding a bilateral meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. He described the UAE as a suitable location for such talks and noted that several friendly nations have offered to arrange the encounter. The Russian leader also said he "has nothing against" meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but added that no preconditions for such a dialogue currently exist. Putin’s comments signal a guarded openness to reviving diplomatic contacts as conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on regional security.