President Sheikh Mohamed's official visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen ties and further explore the future of a partnership that goes back many years.
Sheikh Mohamed will also attend the Brics summit in the Russian city of Kazan, from October 22 to 24, for the first time since the UAE was formally admitted last year as a member of the expanding economic and political alliance, which also includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The relationship has developed significantly since Mr Putin made his first visit to Abu Dhabi in September 2007, meeting President Sheikh Khalifa, where he was presented with the Order of Zayed, the UAE's highest honour.
An official visit followed in October 2019, with President Putin returning again last December during the Cop28 UN Climate Summit.
During this last visit, Mr Putin said relations had “reached an unprecedented high level”, adding that the UAE was now Russia’s “main trading partner in the Arab world”.
Sheikh Mohamed travelled to St Petersburg in June 2023, where he told Mr Putin “we wish to build on this relationship, and we put our trust in you to do so”.
The UAE has since negotiated several exchanges of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia.
Potential for growth
Russia remains a major area for UAE investment, led by the sovereign wealth funds, Mubadala Investments and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. This summer the UAE became the first Arab country to partner with Innoprom, the global industrial exhibition held in Yekaterinburg.
Russia has also said it is keen to sign a free-trade agreement with the UAE, while Dubai was the host of a joint UAE-Russia investment forum this month. The countries have forged closer links on everything from energy to artificial intelligence and space technology, with a Russian rocket carrying the UAE’s first astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, to the International Space Station in 2019.
Mr Putin has previously said UAE investment outside the oil sector grew by 103 per cent in 2022, predicting in the future “it will be even more”.
Historic roots
The former Soviet Union was quick to recognise the UAE only six days after its founding on December 2, 1971, with the countries opening embassies in Abu Dhabi and Moscow in 1986 and 1987, respectively.
However, it has been during Mr Putin’s time in office that relations have noticeably strengthened.
Both countries have similar concerns about radicalisation and extremism. The UAE has supported Russian intervention in Syria, while Moscow condemned Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi in 2022, supporting a UAE-sponsored arms embargo against members of the group in the UN.
Since 2017, Russians coming to the UAE received an automatic free 30-day visa when they step off the plane, while UAE passport holders can now get a visa on arrival in Russia. It has made the UAE an ever more popular destination for Russian visitors, with many now making the country their second home.
What can we expect from this week's visit?
The focus for Sheikh Mohamed's meeting with Mr Putin this week will likely be to improve bilateral collaboration.
The leaders will review efforts to strengthen ties in various sectors, including the economy, trade, investment and energy, state news agency Wam reported. Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin are also set to explore regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The UAE’s participation at the Brics summit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in the context of continuing global realignments, including the growing prominence of the bloc, according to industry analysts.
Watch: President Sheikh Mohamed meets Vladimir Putin in Abu Dhabi
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
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Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
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SERIES SCHEDULE
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July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
