The state visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates, HH Sheikh Muhammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to the Russian Federation on August 7, 2025, was met with a wave of responses and commentaries in the Emirati media.
The trade turnover between the two partners is only increasing. In 2024, it reached $11.5 bn (according to Emirati statistics), which is three times higher than in 2022. In the first months of 2025, the trade turnover grew by 80%.
Russia is one of the top three suppliers of grain to the UAE
For Russia, this agreement paves the way to building up economic ties against the backdrop of a difficult geopolitical situation. For the UAE, it broadens and diversifies global economic opportunities. The UAE, according to Emirati analysts, want to raise its role as a gateway for Russian business in the Middle East and North Africa region.
According to Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, there are more than 13,000 Russian commercial licenses represented in the UAE market. Bilateral relations contribute to the growth of mutual investment flows, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries, an increase in trade through the simplification of procedures and the reduction of barriers, etc.
Amna Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate and Environment, highlighted that the visit and the agreements are beneficial for solving food security issues and adapting to climate change: “We link this to achieving common environmental goals”.
Both sides are optimistic about the agreement’s potential to create new windows in the service sector, where the UAE’s finances and infrastructure potential can complement Russia’s technological and industrial expertise.
The Moscow visit goes beyond economic affairs
Recently, UAE media outlets have been writing about the development of mutual tourism. In 2024, the number of Russians visiting the UAE increased by 13.4% and reached 1.47 million. There has been a notable increase in the flow of Emirati tourists to Russia (54%), numbering 67,000 people – the highest figure among the Gulf countries.
The topic of cooperation between the two countries is expanding; ties in the field of education and science, as well as academic exchange between Emirati and Russian universities, are deepening.
According to experts, the Sheikh’s visit took place at a time of uncertainty in international relations. At the same time, both leaders have shown their commitment to building mutual trust, which facilitates dialogue and rational decisions. They are focusing on diversifying economic activity and regional partnerships. The Russian and UAE participation in OPEC+ aids in stabilizing the global oil market.
The talks between the Presidents of the UAE and the Russian Federation confirm their desire to strengthen relations and cooperation in various field, including economy, politics, development, investments, science, space, and security, especially in fighting terrorism and extremism.
The UAE maintains cooperation with Russia on various platforms, being a member of BRICS and the SCO. In addition, Abu Dhabi’s mediation in the Ukrainian conflict resulted in hundreds of prisoners from both sides being released.
Moscow-UAE relations’ history is relatively young compared to Russia’s relations with the rest of the Arab world. Bilateral relations began only in the late 80s of the 20th century and from scratch, while Soviet-Arab cooperation was at a high. Dozens of joint projects had already been completed, e.g. giants as the Aswan Dam on the Nile and the Euphrates hydroelectric complex in Syria, friendship and cooperation agreements etc.
Moscow and Abu Dhabi have worked out mutually acceptable approaches that have ensured the stable progression of relations, and the share price of their cooperation continues to grow. This illustrates the pragmatism of the leadership, business and public circles of the two states, the ability to consider each other’s situations and views, the diversity of territory, population, geography, systems of political regimes and authorities, etc.
Today, Abu Dhabi is Russia’s main trade partner in the Arab world. In this regard, the statement by the UAE leader during his visit to Moscow about his country’s desire to double the volume of trade in the next five years seems realistic indeed.
Yuri Zinin, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Middle East and African Studies, MGIMO University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
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