Putin calls UAE one of Russia’s key trade partners in Arab world during Kremlin talks with Al Nahyan

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Russia on an official visit. The official welcoming ceremony with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, took place in  St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. This was reported on the official website of the President of Russia.

The Russian leader emphasised the steady growth and development of bilateral trade, the successful work of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic and technical cooperation, as well as joint investment projects and forums.

"The United Arab Emirates is our important trade partner in the Arab world. [...] We attach great value to significant personal contribution to all spheres of the Russia-UAE strategic partnership, which is multifaceted, mutually beneficial and growing dynamically. [...] We have developed political dialogue at the level of our governments, parliaments, ministries and agencies, as well as between our business communities. We are fruitfully cooperating within the framework of multilateral formats"

Vladimir Putin President of the Russian Federation

The President of Russia noted the strengthening of humanitarian ties and the development of cooperation with the UAE in education, science and sport. In November, the Days of Russian Culture were held in the UAE; plans are in place to establish a Russian university and a youth science park in the Emirates.

There has been steady growth in the number of Russian tourists visiting the UAE. In the first nine months of 2025, one and a half million Russians visited the country, which is 18 per cent more than last year.

The President of the UAE expressed hope that 2026 would become a time of progress and development for Russia and of prosperity for bilateral relations and stated that the Emirates are committed to strengthening these ties.

"Relations between the UAE and Russia are based on a deep legacy of fruitful cooperation that has continued for more than 50 years. Our countries are linked by partnerships and sustainable cooperation aimed at development across various areas of the economy, energy, investment, trade, technology and other fields. We are committed to strengthening these relations and implementing development goals and partnerships in the interests of both countries"

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates

The President of the UAE stressed that the agreements on trade in services and investments with Russia, signed last year, as well as the economic partnership agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), will contribute to strengthening and expanding mutual investments and trade and economic relations between the countries.

Despite the fact that the structure of trade between the countries is not yet ideally balanced, the pace of development, the growth of mutual investments and new trade agreements are contributing to the formation of a more sustainable and diversified economic partnership, said Mikhail Khachaturyan, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, in an exclusive comment to TV BRICS.

“However, there is a trend towards diversification. Russia is increasing supplies of agricultural products, including halal meat and confectionery, which are in demand in the UAE market. In turn, Russian companies are investing more actively in the UAE – around 4,000 Russian companies are already registered, and the volume of Russian capital in the UAE economy has exceeded US$30 billion,” he stated.

As the expert noted, today the basis of economic cooperation between Russia and the UAE is formed by several key industries with high growth potential. These include machinery manufacturing for the fuel and energy sector, space and nuclear energy, pharmaceuticals, high technologies and digitalisation, tourism, payment systems, agriculture and food.

“Thanks to the free trade agreement between the EAEU and the UAE, more than 97 per cent of Russian goods will be supplied to the UAE duty-free, which should strengthen the position of Russian exports. [...] In 2026, further strengthening of ties is expected due to the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, which will make cooperation more transparent and beneficial for business,” Mikhail Khachaturyan noted.

The previous meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the UAE took place on 7 August 2025, when Al Nahyan also paid a visit to Russia. At that time, the parties discussed current issues of Russian–Emirati cooperation and outlined plans for its further development.

Photo: kremlin.ru / Emirates News Agency (WAM)