Russia–United Arab Emirates relations

The relationship between the Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stretches back to December 1971, when the Soviet Union and UAE established diplomatic relations. Relations between the two countries have been described as strong and a "strategic partnership", with the countries cooperating closely in Iraq, Egypt and Libya.[1][2]

Russia–United Arab Emirates relations
Map indicating locations of Russia and United Arab Emirates

Russia
United Arab Emirates
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Russia, Abu DhabiEmbassy of the United Arab Emirates, Moscow
UAE president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Russian president Vladimir Putin on 10 September 2007.

Background

The Soviet Union and UAE established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1971. In 1986, the Soviet embassy in Abu Dhabi was opened and the UAE embassy in Moscow was opened in 1987.[3]

Modern relations

Russia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and UAE has an embassy in Moscow. In 2002, a Russian consulate-general in Dubai was established.[3]

The UAE was alone in the Gulf Cooperation Council in endorsing the 2015 Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, describing it as against a "common enemy" of the two nations.[4]

During 2017, UAE has sought to drive a wedge between Russia and Iran, which the UAE has a poor relationship with.[5] Along with Saudi Arabia and Israel, the UAE encouraged the United States to remove sanctions on Russia pertaining to its activity in Ukraine in exchange for Russian assistance in ending the Iranian military presence in Syria.[6]

UAE is backing the House of Representatives (Libya) in the Libyan Civil War (2014–present), and Russian mercenary group Wagner Group is working for House of Representatives.

In 2019, UAE purchased $710 million of anti-tank weapons from Russia.[7]

Even though Russia invaded Ukraine, business between the two countries strengthened and many Russian businessmen has flocked to Dubai to purchase properties and invest in the region. Trade between the two countries has doubled to $5 billion over the last three years and they are approximately 4,000 companies with Russian roots that are operating within the country.[8]

According to the leaked confidential US documents,[9] titled “Russia/UAE: Intelligence Relationship Deepening”, the Russian intelligence officials were engaged in strengthening their relations with the United Arab Emirates. The document stated that Russia had convinced the Emirates “to work together against US and UK intelligence agencies”. It also concluded that the UAE viewed it as an “opportunity” to diversify its partnerships, while the US was gradually parting ways from the Emirates. However, the UAE government had dismissed the accusations that they were maintaining close ties with Russian intelligence.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Geopolitics Drive Russia and the U.A.E. Closer". Middle East Institute.
  2. "UAE, Russia forge strategic partnership". gulfnews.com.
  3. Российско-эмиратские отношения (in Russian). Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  4. "UAE Will Fight Islamic State Group With Ground Troops In Syria? Emirates Foreign Minister Praises Russian Airstrike Campaign". International Business Times. 30 November 2015.
  5. Entous, Adam; Miller, Greg; Sieff, Kevin; DeYoung, Karen (April 3, 2017). "Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  6. "Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati Officials Privately Pushed for Trump to Strike a "Grand Bargain" with Putin". The New Yorker. 9 July 2018.
  7. "UAE buys $5bn of weapons during four-day arms exhibition". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  8. "Russia's Elite Flocking to the Gulf Bring In New Business". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  9. "Leaked documents a 'very serious' risk to security: Pentagon". AP News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  10. "Leaked US intel: Russia operatives claimed new ties with UAE". AP News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
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