 | |
 Russia |  United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Russia, Abu Dhabi | Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Moscow |
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 close and a "somewhat strategic partnership", with the countries cooperating closely in Iraq, Egypt and Libya. [1] [2]
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]
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]
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, trade between the two nations strengthened with many Russians relocating to the UAE to invest in real estate, business, or "escape financial restrictions in Europe". [9] Trade between the two countries has doubled to $5 billion since 2020 and there are approximately 4,000 companies with Russian roots that are operating within the country. [10]
In February 2022, Russia supported an Emirati UN Security Council resolution to extend the arms embargo on the Houthis to all members of the Yemen-based rebel group, in a deal that was purportedly for Emirati abstention on Ukraine resolutions. [11]
According to the leaked confidential US documents, [12] 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. [13]
Against the backdrop of rising economic and political engagement with Russia, the UAE Central Bank granted a license to MTS Bank in February 2023, [14] [15] aimed at meeting growing demands for financial services for Russians in the UAE. The issue of new banking licenses in the UAE is rare, and the decision generated criticism accusing the UAE of providing safe harbour to sanctioned individuals. [16] On 31 March 2023, the UAE Central Bank revoked MTS Bank's license citing "sanctions risks associated with the bank". [17] [18] It is noted that MTS Bank were not sanctioned when their license was granted, with the UK Foreign Secretary stating MTS was sanctioned on 24 February 2023 in an effort to "further isolate Russia from the international financial system and [...] prevent circumvention [of sanctions]". [19]
On August 23, 2023, at the 15th BRICS summit, Russia along with the other founders of BRICS formally invited the United Arab Emirates and others to join the organization on January 1, 2024. When the date was reached, the United Arab Emirates formally joined BRICS. [20]
In early 2024, following mediation efforts by the UAE, Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war. [21] [22]
The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates are conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, popularly known by his initials as MBZ or MbZ, is an Emirati royal and politician who currently serves as the third president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates has quite a close and friendly relationship with the US, being described as the United States' best counter-terrorism ally in the Gulf by Richard A. Clarke, the U.S. national security advisor and counter-terrorism expert. In terms of defense, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces has been nicknamed "Little Sparta" by United States Armed Forces generals and former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis for its active role against extremists in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates also hosts the only United States border preclearance in the Middle East. Both countries are members of the I2U2 Group, which was established in 2021.
Iraqi-Emirati relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. Iraq has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulates general in Dubai, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Baghdad.
Canada—United Arab Emirates relations is used to describe the relations between the nations of Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Canada established relations with the United Arab Emirates in 1974. Each maintains an embassy in the other's capital.
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates share extensive cultural, military and economic ties, but relations have substantially deteriorated since Arab Spring, however, relations did start to recover in recent years.
China – United Arab Emirates relations refer to the diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1984. The UAE maintains an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Hong Kong while China has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate-general in Dubai. The UAE and China have been strong international allies, with significant cooperation across economic, political and cultural aspects.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Kuwait City, and Kuwait maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. Both countries are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab world, and Middle East region and share close cultural ties.
Syria–United Arab Emirates relations refer to the relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Syrian Arab Republic. The UAE has an embassy in Damascus and Syria has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. Both countries are members of the Arab League, part of the Middle East region and share close cultural ties.
The United Arab Emirates and Germany established relations in May 1972. The U.A.E. has an embassy in Berlin and consulate-general in Munich while Germany maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. German exports amount to 5.84 billion Euros. German companies significantly contribute to the UAE's ongoing infrastructure projects and play a leading role in the country's alternative energy developments. Consequently, German Business Park, an area designed to house several of the already seven hundred present companies and their logistical needs, is in the midst of construction. There are thousands of expatriate Germans in the United Arab Emirates who have helped maintain connections between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) are neighbouring countries in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region, and share extensive political and cultural ties. Saudi Arabia maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai of the U.A.E., while the U.A.E. has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates share a naval border and are part of the Arabic-speaking Persian Gulf region. They are both members of the GCC.
The United Arab Emirates has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and is unique in having another Embassy in Dubai, albeit with His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as opposed to a separate British Ambassador. The UAE-UK relations have been described as a "special relationship".
Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1976. The diplomatic relations are important because both share the solidarity as Muslim majority countries. Indonesia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi, while the United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Serbian-Emirati relations are foreign relations between Serbia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). SFR Yugoslavia established diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Serbia {republic of ex yugoslavia} also has a commercial section in Dubai. The UAE are represented in Serbia by their embassy in Belgrade.
Mexico–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
Tanzania–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is one of Tanzania's largest trading partner and have had cordial relationship for many years.
Spain–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Spain has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and an Economic and Commercial Office in Dubai. The UAE has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate general in Barcelona.
Armenia–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates. Official relations exist between both nations since 1998. Armenia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has embassy in Yerevan.
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