UAE president heads to Russia to meet Putin as ties grow: What to know

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan is heading to Moscow on Thursday for an official visit, his second in less than a year as Russian-Emirati relations continue to develop rapidly.

Beatrice Farhat
Beatrice Farhat
Aug 6, 2025
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on October 20, 2024. (Photo by Artem Geodakyan / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ARTEM GEODAKYAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (L) at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Oct. 20, 2024. — ARTEM GEODAKYAN/AFP via Getty Images

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is heading to Moscow on Thursday for an official visit, his second in less than a year as Russian-Emirati relations rapidly take shape.

Sheikh Mohammed is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a host of topics including the strategic partnership between the two countries and ways to strengthen joint development, particularly in the economic, trade, investment and energy fields, the Emirati state news agency reported on Wednesday.

The latest regional and international developments are also expected to be on the agenda.

Growing diplomatic relations

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