In a high-level official visit underscoring five decades of bilateral cooperation, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held comprehensive talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, covering a wide range of diplomatic, economic, and strategic issues.
Official reception in Moscow
On 7 August 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in the Russian Federation on an official visit. Upon entering Russian airspace, his aircraft was welcomed and escorted by military jets, marking the start of a ceremonious reception, Emirates News Agency-WAM reported.
The UAE President was accompanied by senior officials, including ministers of industry, trade, investment, and advanced technology during the visit/ Image: WAM
Upon arrival at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, His Highness was greeted with a formal welcome ceremony. The national anthems of both the UAE and Russia were played, and an honour guard was assembled. His Highness greeted senior Russian officials who had gathered for his reception. His Highness was accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included:
- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President
- Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security
- Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology
- Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade
- Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment
- Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State
- Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs
- Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President’s Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office
- Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation
Several other senior officials were also part of the delegation.
Meeting at the Kremlin: Strategic partnership and regional dialogue
At the Kremlin, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders reviewed the trajectory of UAE-Russia cooperation and discussed enhancing their strategic partnership, with particular focus on the economy, trade, investment, space, and energy sectors. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of aligning bilateral cooperation with their development priorities. His Highness emphasized that the UAE-Russia relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and over 50 years of constructive engagement. He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to building strong international partnerships and advancing global cooperation to tackle shared challenges and promote collective development. The leaders exchanged perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual interest. His Highness underscored the UAE’s dedication to fostering peace and stability, with a commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions both within the region and globally. In discussing regional issues, the two leaders highlighted the importance of the upcoming Russia-Arab Summit, scheduled for October 2025 at President Putin’s initiative, as a critical platform to strengthen Russia’s relations with the Arab world. They also reviewed developments in the Middle East, stressing the urgent need to pursue a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, aiming to secure stability and security across the region.
Humanitarian mediation and diplomatic engagement
His Highness expressed appreciation to President Putin for facilitating the UAE’s role in mediating the exchange of over 4,000 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. He reaffirmed the UAE’s readiness to continue supporting such humanitarian initiatives. President Putin, in turn, acknowledged and praised the UAE’s continued mediation efforts, particularly its role in the successful prisoner exchange process.
The UAE President and delegation received a formal welcome with military escort and honour guard, followed by a luncheon hosted by President Putin/ Image: WAM
During the formal proceedings at the Kremlin, both national anthems were played again, and President Putin personally welcomed the UAE President, greeting the delegation accompanying His Highness. President Putin hosted a luncheon in honour of His Highness and the accompanying UAE officials.
Bilateral agreements and departure
On the sidelines of the visit, the UAE and Russia signed several key agreements:
a) Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA)
Signed by:
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
- H.E. Maxim Reshetnikov, Russian Minister of Economic Development
This agreement builds upon the broader Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The TISIA creates a dedicated bilateral cooperation framework focused on:
- Financial technology
- Healthcare
- Transportation
- Logistics
- Professional services
- Other service and investment sectors
b) Memorandum of Understanding on land transport cooperation
Signed by:
- H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
- H.E. Andrey Nikitin, Russian Minister of Transport
Both agreements mark a significant step forward in deepening economic and infrastructural ties between the two nations. The high-level UAE delegation attended the bilateral talks, as did Russian ministers and senior officials. Following the conclusion of the visit, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan departed Moscow. His plane was again escorted by military aircraft as it exited Russian airspace.
