Ties between the UAE and Russia are at an “unprecedented high,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said during talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi yesterday, according to Wam. Putin’s visit to Abu Dhabi came as part of a whistle-stop tour of the Middle East that later took him to Riyadh, where he delivered a similar message on warming ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Trade + investment is strong — and there’s more coming: The UAE is already Russia’s biggest trade partner in the Middle East and is “a major investor in the Russian economy,” with the two countries looking to focus on “development in energy, infrastructure, and high technologies,” Sheikh Mohamed said, according to a Kremlin readout.

Putin didn’t come alone: The Russian leader was joined by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, along with the country’s industry and trade minister, trade and economic cooperation officials, and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, among several other top officials, according to the Kremlin.

Regional hotspots were on the agenda: The two leaders also discussed the current war in Gaza, with Putin also discussing with Sheikh Mohamed the latest developments in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

The meeting got plenty of international attention:Reuters | Bloomberg | WSJ | FinancialTimes.

It’s a big week for Russia-Gulf relations: Lavrov will attend the Sir Bani Yas International Forum on Peace and Security in Abu Dhabi tomorrow and Saturday before heading to the Doha Forum in Qatar on Sunday, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. (Russia News Agency)

OTHER DIPLOMACY NEWS-

Tonga is hoping to attract investment from the UAE after the two countries signed an agreement to promote and protect investment yesterday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in astatement. No further details were provided.

ICYMI: The UAE is paying close attention to countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change as part of its COP agenda. Minister of State Ahmed Al Sayegh inked on Tuesday an agreement to support the renewable energy sector in Fiji, another Pacific island nation at existential risk due to rising sea levels. New Zealand was also a signatory.

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