UAE President to start official visit to Russia on January 29, meet Vladimir Putin

On January 29, 2026, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Moscow on an official visit, marking an important milestone in the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The UAE President’s aircraft landed in the Russian capital accompanied by an honor escort of Russian military jets upon entering Russia’s airspace. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included senior government officials and heads of key Emirati institutions, representing the investment, energy, and diplomatic sectors.

The official program of the visit included talks between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the center of the discussions were the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, energy, and transport and infrastructure projects.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues. Among the topics discussed were current geopolitical challenges, security matters, and opportunities for expanding joint initiatives aimed at promoting stability and development in the Middle East and beyond.

According to the Kremlin, the United Arab Emirates is Russia’s leading trade partner in the Arab world, with bilateral trade volumes continuing to grow steadily. The visit was therefore seen as an opportunity to give new momentum to economic cooperation and to further strengthen mutual strategic trust.

Beyond economic ties, the talks addressed broader international issues, including the situation in the Middle East, conflict resolution efforts, energy security, and investments in future-oriented technologies.

This format of dialogue reflects the shared desire of both countries to develop relations based on mutual respect, pragmatic economic interests, and a long-term strategic vision. Analysts note that the UAE President’s visit to Moscow could open new opportunities for joint projects in innovation, finance, and large-scale infrastructure initiatives beneficial to both sides.

The official visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took place against the backdrop of a dynamic international environment, in which global and regional players are seeking new balances between cooperation and competition. Given the UAE’s active role as a mediator in several international processes, Moscow views the expansion of dialogue with Abu Dhabi as particularly important on key security and economic issues.

For the United Arab Emirates, strengthening ties with Russia remains an essential element of its foreign policy strategy, aimed at diversifying economic partnerships and enhancing its role on the global stage.