UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Meets Putin in Moscow to Strengthen Strategic Ties
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a high-level meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on January 29, 2026, reaffirming and advancing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations. The talks at the Kremlin focused on deepening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and technology, while also addressing key regional and global issues.
Deepening Economic and Strategic Cooperation
The leaders underscored the robust, decades-old relationship built on mutual respect and expanding interests. Discussions highlighted recent milestones, including the 2025 Trade in Services and Investment Agreement between the UAE and Russia, and the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. These frameworks are designed to accelerate non-oil trade growth and investment across key sectors like technology and space exploration.
UAE’s Humanitarian Diplomacy and Mediation Role
A significant point of discussion was the UAE’s humanitarian diplomacy, particularly its role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine since 2024. Sheikh Mohamed thanked President Putin for supporting this initiative, while Putin acknowledged the UAE’s constructive efforts, including hosting trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving Russia, Ukraine, and the US to explore peace pathways. This reinforces the UAE’s profile as a credible neutral mediator in global conflicts.
Regional Stability and Global Issues
The dialogue extended to pressing regional and international matters. Both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and security in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The talks also touched on broader security concerns, including developments involving Iran, reflecting Russia’s active regional engagement.
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Ceremonial Honors and Forward Momentum
The visit was marked by high ceremonial honors, including a military escort for the UAE presidential aircraft—a signal of the relationship’s importance to Moscow. The meetings concluded with mutual optimism and a shared commitment to building a future-oriented strategic partnership that goes beyond traditional diplomacy.
This summit solidifies the UAE-Russia alliance as a significant axis in a multipolar world, balancing deep economic ties with active, independent diplomatic engagement on the global stage.
