Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Russia’s Putin discuss Syria, Yemen

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the city of Sochi on Sunday where they discussed Syria and other international issues, official news agency WAM reported.

The meeting came even as Russia continues its air offensive into Syria in a bid to support President Bashar Al Asaad, a move that has angered the Gulf Arab states opposing Asaad.

The two sides discussed the Syrian crisis and the “visions of the two countries to address the humanitarian and political crisis, as well as the efforts being exerted to resolve the conflict,” WAM reported.

Sheikh Mohamed also stressed the need for concerted international community responsibility and cooperation to put an end to the Syrian crisis.

He said that the United Arab Emirates does not spare any effort to back political solutions that would “safeguard security and stability of Syria, as well as its territorial integrity.”

The two sides also reviewed the situation in Yemen and plans of the Arab coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in the country.

Sheikh Mohamed “expressed his satisfaction” on meeting President Putin and discussing ways to bolster bilateral relations, the report added.

On Sunday, Putin also met with Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the Syrian crisis.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said both countries wanted to prevent the formation of a “terrorist caliphate” in the country and were open to cooperation.

Russia began bombing Syria just around two weeks ago, claiming it was targeting areas occupied by militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.

However, some of the Russian strikes have hit rebel factions fighting Asaad including those that are supported by the Gulf States and its Western allies.

The conflict in Syria has dragged on for four years now and claimed over 250,000 lives. The crisis has also created the biggest refugee crisis since World War Two.