Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is set to embark on an official visit to Russia on Monday, where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for cooperation in trade, energy, and investment.
The visit underscores the deep strategic partnership between the two nations and reflects their shared interests in economic collaboration and regional stability.
The visit will also mark the UAE’s first participation in the BRICS Summit as a full member of the group, following the country’s official accession to BRICS in August 2023. The 16th BRICS Summit will take place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia, where Sheikh Mohamed will engage with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to explore avenues for global economic cooperation.
Sheikh Mohamed and President Putin are expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues, with an emphasis on economic and energy cooperation. Russia and the UAE enjoy robust trade relations, with trade volumes doubling to $5 billion since 2020. Their partnership has grown further as around 4,000 Russian businesses have established operations in the UAE, particularly in real estate and commerce, following the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the accompanying financial sanctions imposed by Western countries.
The UAE has emerged as an attractive destination for Russian investors seeking opportunities beyond Europe, contributing to the rapid expansion of economic ties between the two countries.
Energy cooperation will be a key topic during Sheikh Mohamed’s talks with Putin. Both the UAE and Russia play pivotal roles within the OPEC+ framework, coordinating their policies to maintain global energy market stability. With growing uncertainties in the energy sector, the leaders are expected to explore ways to align their strategies and expand joint ventures in oil, gas, and renewables.
The two countries also maintain a shared commitment to multilateral diplomacy and emphasize the peaceful resolution of conflicts, with both sides advocating diplomatic solutions and cultural dialogue across the Gulf region and beyond.
This visit marks a major milestone for the UAE as it takes part in its first BRICS Summit as a full member. The UAE’s entry into BRICS—a coalition of emerging economies—was finalized in August 2023, following its approval by the group’s founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The UAE has long engaged with BRICS through economic cooperation, including participation in the “Friends of BRICS” Forum held in Cape Town in June 2023. Additionally, the UAE joined the New Development Bank (NDB), the financial arm of BRICS, in October 2021, reflecting its commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure and development projects in emerging markets.
The UAE’s inclusion in BRICS aligns with its vision to diversify global partnerships, foster economic cooperation, and promote multilateralism as a means of supporting global peace and development.
In addition to economic and energy cooperation, Sheikh Mohamed and Putin are expected to address regional stability in the Middle East and North Africa. The UAE and Russia share common interests in maintaining peace and security in the region, particularly in the Gulf and Middle East.
Both nations have emphasized multilateral diplomacy and dialogue as key tools for resolving conflicts. Their partnership extends beyond economics, with both countries committed to combating extremism and terrorism, promoting interfaith dialogue, and respecting international law.
The UAE and Russia’s cooperation reflects a shared belief in the importance of balanced global relations and collaborative approaches to addressing global challenges.
