On January 29, 2026, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made an official visit to Moscow. Key areas of multifaceted Russian-UAE cooperation, the current situation in the Middle East, and other international issues were discussed.
Arab Authors on the Putin-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Summit
Moscow is the UAE’s key partner in Eurasia
According to UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the number of companies registered in his country by Russian nationals has grown to 13,500, with approximately 2,000 new licenses issued in 2025. The minister noted that Russia has a developed industrial base and expertise in various fields, which aligns with the UAE’s industrial priorities and the formation of strategic supply chains. He called Moscow a key partner for his country in the Eurasian region.
Sheikh’s visit and trilateral talks on Ukraine
Media responses emphasize the importance of the timing of this visit. It is generally considered to be marked by crises and increasing uncertainty on the global stage. Local analysts also point out that it coincided with trilateral talks underway in the UAE between the US, Russia, and Ukraine to promote dialogue and find political solutions to the Ukrainian crisis. Al-Khaleej newspaper noted that the Emirates’ efforts have included humanitarian initiatives, including 17 prisoner exchanges between the two conflicting countries, the most recent of which took place last August. This agenda demonstrates the UAE’s role as a trusted intermediary: it includes managing confidential documents and coordinating actions with the warring parties. In this case, according to Emirati expert Mohammed Al-Dossari, the emphasis is not on announcing a quick breakthrough, but on maintaining the negotiation process. Continuing negotiations gives the parties an opportunity to consolidate the agreements reached and reduce the likelihood of miscalculations.
Abu Dhabi authorities also assisted Moscow in the investigation of the recent assassination attempt on Russian Lieutenant General Alekseyev in Moscow.
Horizons for cooperation are expanding
The Emirati media emphasizes that broader horizons are opening up for multifaceted cooperation between Russia and the UAE in various fields. By the end of 2025, 2.4 million Russian tourists had visited the UAE. The number of Emirati citizens who visited Russia in 2025 exceeded 70,000. Visa-free travel and the active development of air travel are contributing to the growth of tourism exchanges.
Meanwhile, the UAE has strengthened its position in Russia. In December 2025, the first Russia-UAE Business Forum was held in Dubai. It was attended by over 500 representatives of leading companies and investment funds, relevant ministries, and tech startups from both countries. The signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Russia-UAE Business Council and the Ras Al Khaimah Free Economic Zone (RAKEZ) attracted attention. It envisions the development of mutual trade and re-export flows through logistics cooperation, as well as the use of RAKEZ as a base for Russian companies to enter the UAE and other markets.
Local media are assessing Mohammed Al Nahyan’s visit to Moscow through the prism of their country’s strategic interests. The visit, according to the Emirati newspaper Al Bayan, reflects the UAE leadership’s awareness of Russia’s importance to global security and energy balance. Therefore, strengthening the partnership with Moscow plays into the country’s growing influence internationally.
Russian-UAE Ties Despite Sanctions Against Moscow
Under the current circumstances, political, trade, and economic ties between Russia and the UAE are helping to overcome sanctions pressure on Moscow from Western countries and expand the activity and involvement of Russian entrepreneurs in the Gulf markets. Relations between the two countries, concludes the Al-Khaleej newspaper, are rightly called “outstanding,” based on honesty, respect for international law and conventions, non-interference in internal affairs, and joint action to achieve common interests.
Yuri Zinin, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of International Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
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