Abu Dhabi has the “sovereign” right to make such decisions, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow respects the United Arab Emirates’ “sovereign” decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. The Gulf nation earlier announced its intention to leave the oil cartel and the wider OPEC+ format, which includes major producers such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Oman, and Mexico. The withdrawal, which Abu Dhabi says is driven by national interests, is set to take effect on May 1. “This is a sovereign decision of the UAE, and we respect it,” Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, adding that Moscow “welcomes” assurances from Abu Dhabi that it will maintain a responsible approach to energy markets and continue coordination with former partners after the exit.…