SAEDNEWS: Relations between Russia and the United Arab Emirates have reached an unprecedented level in recent years — a bond encompassing everything from defense and space cooperation to multi-billion-dollar investments and diplomatic mediation. This trajectory has made Russia one of Abu Dhabi’s key and sovereign-level partners.
According to Saed News, citing Russia Today, in the military sphere, the UAE has in recent years become a significant buyer of Russian equipment. Air defense systems such as the “Pantsir-S1,” “Kornet” anti-tank missiles, and “BMP-3” armored vehicles are part of the defense cooperation showcased at arms exhibitions such as IDEX.
This cooperation has extended beyond the ground and into space. The UAE’s first astronaut traveled to the International Space Station in 2019 aboard a Russian launcher. The launch of the “PHI-Demo” satellite from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2023 and the signing of a peaceful space cooperation agreement in 2021 show that the two countries have also developed deep ties in advanced technologies.
Economically, bilateral relations have seen remarkable growth. In 2023, the volume of trade between the two countries reached about $11.8 billion, and in just the first half of 2025, it increased by around 80 percent. Investments have been balanced: over $25 billion in Russian capital in the UAE and around $17 billion in Emirati capital in Russia. These investments include projects in oil, gas, pipelines, and even cooperation in developing the Barakah nuclear power plant.
In the cultural and social sphere, the UAE has become a hub for Russian educational institutions. The opening of a branch of the Russian University of Economics in Dubai and plans to establish a “Russian University” in the UAE are among these initiatives. The visa-free travel agreement in place since 2018 has boosted tourism between the two countries, with more than 1.4 million Russian citizens visiting the UAE in 2024.
Politically and diplomatically, Abu Dhabi has pursued a balanced approach, strengthening its role as a mediator between Moscow and Western parties. The UAE has been involved in several prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, and even between Russia and the United States, resulting in the release of more than 3,700 people.
High-level visits between the leaders of both countries also reflect this closeness. Vladimir Putin has visited the UAE in 2007, 2019, and 2023, while Mohammed bin Zayed has traveled to Russia multiple times between 2022 and 2025. The UAE’s membership in BRICS and its active role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have strengthened the multilateral dimension of this relationship.
Overall, relations between Russia and the UAE have gone beyond the traditional framework of bilateral cooperation, simultaneously encompassing security, economic, scientific, cultural, and political dimensions. This multi-layered partnership has made Moscow a strategic and long-term choice for Abu Dhabi — one that stretches from “missiles to mega-deals.”
