Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the UAE on Wednesday on a state visit before going to Saudi Arabia later in the evening.
He was welcomed by President Sheikh Mohamed at an official reception held at Qasr Al Watan.
The national anthems of both countries were played and a 21-gun salute fired as part of a colourful ceremony, state news agency Wam reported.
Al Fursan aerobatic team took to the air to paint the skies in the colours of the Russian flag. The UAE Air Force escorted the Russian President's plane as he entered the country's airspace.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed said the pair discussed bilateral ties and "the importance of strengthening dialogue and co-operation".
"Today in Abu Dhabi I discussed with President Vladimir Putin the ties between our two nations, and the importance of strengthening dialogue and co-operation to ensure stability and progress," Sheikh Mohamed said.
"The UAE will continue to support efforts aimed at enabling global growth, prosperity and development for all."
During the meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin discussed issues of mutual interest, including Gaza, Ukraine and Cop28.
They spoke about the need for international action to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as protecting civilians and ensuring the safe, unimpeded and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid.
They stressed the need to find lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, based on a two-state solution.
The meeting also touched on developments in Ukraine, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising the UAE supports resolving conflicts worldwide through dialogue and diplomacy.
The meeting dealt with Cop28, which is currently being hosted in Expo City Dubai. Mr Putin expressed his hope that the conference would contribute to finding constructive solutions to climate challenges and enhancing international climate action.
Mr Putin also praised the UAE's role on the international stage, especially in the UN Security Council, and its efforts to promote global stability.
In attendance at the reception were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed.
Among others in attendance were Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali Al Shamsi, secretary general of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Dr Mohammed Al Jaber, UAE ambassador to Russia.
The UAE is Russia’s largest Gulf trading partner, accounting for 55 per cent of total Russian-Gulf trade.
Trade between the two countries continues to grow, reaching nearly $10 billion, Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said in September.
He said that figure was likely to increase and Moscow supported the UAE joining the Brics group of nations.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and Argentina will formally become members of Brics on January 1, after being invited to join in August at a three-day summit in Johannesburg.
Brics is an acronym for the group's founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Mr Putin left Abu Dhabi and arrived in Riyadh shortly after 8pm on Wednesday, where he was met by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The kingdom and Russia are working together to achieve stability in the Middle East," said Prince Mohammed, during a live television broadcast.
On his arrival, Mr Putin said: “It is important for all of us to exchange opinions about what is happening in the region. We have well-established good relations with Saudi Arabia in politics, economics, and the humanitarian field.”
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
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Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
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Games on BeIN Sports
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25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
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The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
