Russia's Putin hosts Middle East leaders at air show, says contracts may be signed

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the opening ceremony of the MAKS-2015 (the International Aviation and Space Show) in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

From left, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prince Muhammad Al Nuhayan of Abu-Dhabi attend the opening ceremony of the MAKS-2015 (the International Aviation and Space Show) in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the opening ceremony of the MAKS-2015 (the International Aviation and Space Show) in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (The Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has played host to the king of Jordan and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi on the first day of Russia's main aviation and space show.

In opening the International Aviation and Space Salon, or MAKS, Putin said Tuesday the six-day show near Moscow would see the signing of a series of "serious agreements."

He said Russia intends to promote its passenger and transport planes more actively on both the domestic and international market, while also increasing its space potential and strengthening its position as a leading producer of military aircraft.

Putin was joined by Jordanian King Abdullah II and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy commander of the United Arab Emirates armed forces.