MOSCOW
Russian and UAE presidents exchanged views on "the dangerously deteriorating situation in the Middle East" in a phone call on Wednesday.
Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke about the collateral damage to the region, the Kremlin said in a statement.
"During their conversation, the two leaders discussed the dangerously deteriorating situation in the Middle East, specifically its severe repercussions for Iran and other Arab nations. Putin stressed the urgent need to halt the escalation and resolve the conflict through negotiations," it said.
Putin also congratulated Nahyan on his 65th birthday, praising the Emirati leader's personal role in strengthening the strategic partnership between Moscow and Abu Dhabi, noting with satisfaction that bilateral relations are progressing dynamically across all fronts.
The Russian president also thanked Nahyan for the UAE's continued assistance and support for Russian citizens residing in the country.
Tensions escalated across the region on February 28 when the US and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran that have so far killed over 1,200 people, including Ali Khamenei, who was the supreme leader.
Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries that host US assets.