UAE says it wants to work with Russia on energy security

The United Arab Emirates is keen to cooperate with Russia on "improving global energy security", UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in Moscow on Thursday.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has drawn a raft of Western sanctions and disrupted global energy markets, putting a spotlight on Gulf energy exporters, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as consumers look for supplies to replace Russian oil.

In his televised comments, the minister said the UAE was planning to discuss the crises in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen and Iraq during his delegation's visit to Russia.

The UAE has been slammed by western allies for its close relationship with Russia, even after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The Gulf state, which is a member of the UN Security Council, abstained on a US-sponsored condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has also been keen to boast its strong relations with Abu Dhabi, in an apparent effort to further frictions between the UAE and US.

(Reuters)