ABU DHABI — Russia and the United Arab Emirates are deepening their cooperation in the energy sector, exploring the use of Russian equipment in UAE energy projects, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak during a bilateral summit between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to his UAE counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for hosting the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP28 in Dubai.
Earlier on Wednesday, Putin landed in the Abu Dhabi for a rare visit outside the former Soviet Union.
Novak highlighted ongoing discussions on joint projects for equipment certification and the utilization of Russian technology in the UAE’s energy endeavors.
At A Glance * Russia and UAE are expanding their cooperation in the energy sector. * The two countries held talks on using Russian equipment in UAE energy projects. * Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked UAE for hosting COP28 in Dubai. * Putin’s visit to Abu Dhabi is a rare occurrence outside the former Soviet Union. * Ongoing talks on joint projects for equipment certification and use of Russian technology in UAE's energy projects. * Russia and UAE's mutual benefits in oil and petroleum product trading. * UAE is a strategic energy partner for Russia, collaborating in platforms like OPEC+ and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. * Putin commended UAE's execution of COP28 and its environmental efforts. * Putin recognized the strengthening of humanitarian ties, including land provided for an Orthodox church in the UAE. * Nearly one million Russian tourists visited the UAE last year. * Opening of a Russian school in the UAE symbolizes growing cultural ties. * Putin lauds the high level of bilateral relations and continuous collaboration between Russia and the UAE. * The UAE is Russia’s main trade partner in the Arab world, with a 67.7% growth in bilateral trade last year. * Major projects in the oil and gas sector and commitment to OPEC+ cooperation discussed. * Putin's trip to UAE part of efforts to reassert Russia on the global stage. * UAE, Russia's main economic partner in the Arab world, with trade turnover reaching $9 billion in 2022.
He emphasized the mutually beneficial nature of the countries’ oil and petroleum product trading and expressed confidence that the talks would boost cooperation in the energy sector.
The UAE is a key strategic partner for Russia in energy, Novak noted, citing their collaboration in multilateral platforms like OPEC+, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, and other energy-related formats.
COP28 Conference
Putin, on his part, commended the UAE’s execution of the event and acknowledged the global appreciation for the UAE’s efforts in the environmental sphere.
“The Russian delegation is very involved in the conference’s work,” Putin said, wishing success to the event, which has drawn over 140 state leaders and 70,000 delegates, including representatives from business, research, and media sectors.
🇷🇺🤝🇦🇪 #Russia's President Vladimir #Putin extends a warm invitation to #UAE President @MohamedBinZayed Al Nahyan for the 2024 #BRICS Summit in #Kazan. Putin expresses enthusiasm for UAE's involvement in BRICS and anticipates productive discussions next October.@KremlinRussia_E… pic.twitter.com/9EiUUJofT7
— TRENDS (@mena_trends) December 6, 2023
In addition to energy and environmental cooperation, Putin thanked Al Nahyan for providing land for constructing an Orthodox church, highlighting the strengthening of humanitarian ties between Russia and the UAE.
He pointed out the growing tourist exchanges, with nearly one million Russian tourists visiting the UAE last year, and the opening of a Russian school in the UAE.
Bilateral relations
Putin praised the unprecedentedly high level of bilateral relations, acknowledging Al Nahyan’s role in fostering constant communication and collaboration between the two countries.
He identified the UAE as Russia’s principal trade partner among Arab countries, noting a 67.7 percent growth in bilateral trade last year and anticipating a further increase this year. The leaders discussed major projects in the oil and gas sector and reaffirmed their commitment to OPEC+ cooperation. The summit emphasized the importance of humanitarian ties, underscored by the significant number of Russian tourists in the UAE and the establishment of a Russian-language school, reflecting the deepening cultural and educational exchange between the two nations.
Putin on Wednesday landed in the UAE for a rare visit outside the former Soviet Union, as Moscow seeks to reassert itself on the global stage.
“Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a working visit,” the Kremlin said, before he was scheduled to travel onwards to Saudi Arabia.
Russian state television showed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and other officials greeting Putin on the runway.
Trade and oil was on the agenda in the UAE, which is “Russia’s main economic partner in the Arab world,” according to a statement issued by the Kremlin ahead of the visit.
Bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached a record level $9bn in 2022, the Kremlin said.
Putin is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he arrives in Saudi Arabia later Wednesday.
This is only the Russian leader’s third trip outside the former Soviet Union since he invaded Ukraine, after visits to Iran and China.
Putin has since March been wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which has accused him of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.
Putin skipped the BRICS summit in South Africa in August to avoid causing a “political show” and missed the in-person flagship G20 summit in September.