Sergey Lavrov receives Order of the Union from Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

Russia's foreign minister and his deputy were given high honours in a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Sergei Lavrov and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pictured in Abu Dhabi on March 9, 2021. Courtesy: Russian Foreign Ministry / EPA

Mr Lavrov led the highest level delegation to Abu Dhabi since Vladimir Putin's visit in 2019. Courtesy: Russian Foreign Ministry

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed speaks at a news conference with Mr Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry / Reuters

Mr Lavrov took questions on tackling Iran's nuclear missile programme among other areas. Courtesy: Russian Foreign Ministry

Sheikh Abdullah said the relationship with Russia had special 'strategic partner' status. Courtesy: Russian Foreign Ministry

Mr Lavrov later met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who awarded him the Order of the Union, one of the UAE's highest civilian honours. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sergey Lavrov with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

(L-R) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Dr Anwar bin Mohamed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisrr to the President, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon at Al Shati Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov received one of the UAE's highest honours during a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Moscow's most senior diplomat was presented with the Order of the Union by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mr Lavrov's deputy, Mikhail Bogdanov, was presented with the Order of Zayed II.

Mr Lavrov was in Abu Dhabi for talks with top Emirati ministers and officials on Tuesday.

"It was an honour to present Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs with the UAE's Order of the Union, and his deputy Mikhail Bogdanov with the Order of Zayed II," Sheikh Mohamed said.

"These awards from the UAE President acknowledge their efforts to strengthen ties between our nations."

Earlier, Mr Lavrov met Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, who described Russia as a "strategic partner" – a high diplomatic status.

“We share common ground on a wide array of issues and value our strategic partnership,” said Mr Lavrov, who has served as Russia’s foreign minister since 2004.

Mr Lavrov is the highest-ranking Russian government minister to visit the Emirates since 2019, when President Vladimir Putin travelled to Abu Dhabi.

At a press conference, Mr Lavrov spoke about the need to stop Iran's missile programme and its nuclear ambitions.