President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended today the 16th BRICS Summit, inaugurated by His Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, in the Russian city of Kazan. This marks the UAE’s first participation in the summit as a full member of BRICS.

Yes, the United States has a tremendous amount of soft power despite this under-investment in diplomacy. But China now has more diplomatic missions abroad than the United States doeseven though China has fewer bilateral relationships, because it doesn’t have ties with states that recognize Taiwan, and because China doesn’t have diplomatic

ANALYSIS:UAEentersBRICSarena, balancing Moscow ties and

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Presidents reviewed progress in UAE-Russia relations in the areas of economy, trade, investment, space and energy. The meeting also addressed the BRICS Summit and the group's role in promoting international collective efforts to achieve mutual global objectives (Image: WAM)

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Russia strengthens economic and energy ties with President Putin, highlighting the UAE’s growing global influence. The UAE’s debut at the BRICS Summit signals its rising status on the international stage.

UAE,Russiapresidents discuss strategic partnership in key sectors

Now

UAEentersBRICSarena, balancing Moscow ties and Western

Q&A: TheBRICSexpansion and the global balance of power

Now, that has taken an interesting turn for BRICS, as Russia may be looking to follow the US and seek a major investment deal from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both Moscow and the UAE are set to meet to discuss their strategic cooperation.

BRICS

UAEPresident to begin official visit toRussiaon Oct 21 to

BRICS, especially Russia, clearly intend to use the forum to display their vision of a multipolar economic and geopolitical architecture that starkly contrasts with the Western, primarily United States led, “rules-based” financial, economic, and political order.

UAEpresident to visitRussia, marking the Emirates' firstBRICS

As leaders prepare to gather

As leaders prepare to gather in Kazan on Tuesday, bilateral trade between the UAE and Russia has hit a record $11 billion in 2025, marking an elevenfold increase over the past decade, despite Western sanctions on Moscow.

“The trade relationship has evolved significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2025, becoming increasingly concentrated in specific sectors. Gold in 2025 accounted for more than 66 per cent of Russian exports to the

UAEPresident Sheikh Mohamed attends 16thBRICSSummit in Kazan,Russia

During the visit

BRICS: Russia to Follow US, Seek Major UAE Investment Deal?

Moscow is seeking to attract UAE investment into key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and technology, as part of its broader effort to counter Western economic sanctions and diversify its financial partnerships.

During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed will hold talks with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, focusing on various aspects of the bilateral relationship and ways to strengthen ties

BRICSsignals shift fromUSdominated financial system