President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Moscow on Sunday for an official visit aimed at enhancing the longstanding relationship between the UAE and Russia. His visit includes high-level discussions with President Vladimir Putin, who hosted a special dinner in his honor at his official residence that evening.
During the dinner, Sheikh Mohamed expressed gratitude to President Putin for his dedication to strengthening UAE-Russian relations. In return, Putin emphasized the importance of furthering bilateral ties, as reported by state news agency WAM.
Upon his arrival at Vnukovo International Airport, Sheikh Mohamed received an official reception, complete with a guard of honor and the playing of both countries’ national anthems.
Delegation and Agenda
Sheikh Mohamed’s delegation is notable, comprising key figures such as:
- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court
- Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology
- Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade
- Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State
On Monday, Sheikh Mohamed and President Putin will engage in discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation across various sectors, including economy, trade, investment, and energy. Their talks are part of the strategic partnership between the two nations, and they will also address regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Previous Engagements and BRICS Summit Participation
This meeting follows Sheikh Mohamed’s prior engagements with Putin, including a state visit to the Emirates in December, where they discussed issues such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The two leaders also met in St. Petersburg during Sheikh Mohamed’s working visit to Russia last June.
Notably, the UAE has become Russia’s largest trading partner in the Gulf, accounting for 55% of total Russian-Gulf trade. During this visit, Sheikh Mohamed will also participate in the 16th BRICS summit, held in Kazan from October 22 to 24. This marks the UAE’s inaugural participation in the summit as a member, having joined the bloc, which initially consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, in January 2024.
Sheikh Mohamed’s visit underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering strong ties with Russia, highlighting the importance of collaboration in various sectors to support mutual interests.
