MOSCOW (The Thursday Times) — President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held high-level discussions in Moscow on Monday, aimed at further enhancing the UAE-Russia strategic partnership. The meeting, which took place at the Kremlin during Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to the Russian Federation, touched upon a range of regional and international issues while also reviewing the progress made in recent years in key sectors such as economy, trade, investment, space, and energy.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to developing bilateral relations across all levels, underscoring the importance of continuing their collaboration in various sectors. Both nations have witnessed substantial growth in their strategic partnership, and this meeting signalled the mutual desire to build on this progress, particularly in sectors that are essential to both countries’ economic futures.
Economic ties and sectoral cooperation
A key focus of the discussion was the growth in UAE-Russia cooperation in vital economic sectors. Trade between the two countries has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by shared investments and joint ventures in industries ranging from energy to advanced technology. The leaders emphasised the importance of further enhancing these economic ties, with Sheikh Mohamed expressing his optimism about deepening collaboration in areas such as energy security, renewable energy, and space exploration.
This partnership has seen both countries emerge as important players on the global energy stage, with their cooperation extending to both traditional energy resources, like oil and gas, and emerging sectors such as clean energy technologies. The discussion also highlighted ongoing investment partnerships, with both sides recognising the potential for further opportunities in the future.
UAE’s role in BRICS and international cooperation
During the meeting, the leaders addressed the importance of the BRICS Summit and the group’s role in fostering international cooperation. Sheikh Mohamed commended President Putin for his leadership of BRICS during Russia’s current presidency and expressed the UAE’s ongoing commitment to multilateral collaboration aimed at achieving sustainable global development.
The UAE has emerged as a key player in fostering partnerships on a global scale, with its emphasis on multilateral cooperation resonating strongly in forums like BRICS. Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to developing partnerships with nations around the world, aligning with the country’s broader goals of promoting prosperity, development, and stability on a global level.
Regional security and peace initiatives
Regional security was another focal point of the meeting, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising the UAE’s continued commitment to supporting peace and stability across the Middle East. The UAE President reiterated the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and called for a clear political framework that could lead to a just and lasting peace, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the two-state solution as the most viable path towards achieving long-term security and stability for all parties involved.
The leaders also reviewed broader regional security issues, stressing the need to avoid further escalation in conflicts that could destabilise the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed’s consistent advocacy for dialogue and peaceful solutions aligns with the UAE’s broader diplomatic efforts to promote stability and security both regionally and internationally.
Humanitarian cooperation and prisoner exchange efforts
The meeting also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the UAE’s significant role in facilitating the recent exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. President Putin expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s successful mediation efforts, which have been instrumental in advancing humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
In response, Sheikh Mohamed expressed gratitude to the Russian government for its cooperation, noting that such collaborative efforts are essential to achieving positive humanitarian outcomes. The UAE has committed to continuing its role as a facilitator of humanitarian initiatives, with the prisoner exchange serving as a recent example of the nation’s broader diplomatic mission to promote peace and understanding on the global stage.
High-level attendance at the meeting
The UAE delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed underscored the importance of the visit, with key figures including Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. The delegation also included several ministers and senior officials, signifying the breadth and depth of the UAE’s commitment to strengthening ties with Russia across multiple sectors.
From the Russian side, senior ministers and officials attended the meeting, reflecting the high-level nature of the discussions and the significance of the UAE-Russia relationship. The comprehensive engagement between the two sides marks a continuation of their strategic dialogue, one that is likely to shape the trajectory of UAE-Russian relations for years to come.