Sheikh Khaled Strengthens UAE Ties with Russia and Belarus Leaders

In a significant display of international diplomacy on June 27 2025, His Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited Minsk, Belarus, to participate in the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting. During the trip, he held official meetings with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus. These engagements reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to strengthening international partnerships and supporting sustainable development and global peace.

Sheikh Khaled’s visit reflected the UAE’s growing role in global affairs, with a focus on diplomacy, trade expansion, and strategic collaboration. The high-level meetings addressed mutual interests and aimed to bolster ties with two significant Eurasian countries.

UAE and Russia Reinforce Strategic Relations

On the sidelines of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council gathering in Minsk, Sheikh Khaled met with President Vladimir Putin. At the start of the meeting, Sheikh Khaled conveyed warm greetings from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, extending best wishes for the health and prosperity of Russia and its people.

President Putin responded with his own sincere greetings to the UAE President, emphasizing the importance of the UAE-Russia relationship. He also expressed his hopes for the UAE’s continued development and global leadership.

The meeting explored the long-standing and strategic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation. Both sides exchanged perspectives on pressing regional and international issues, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as global peace, development, trade, and energy.

Focus on Global Sustainable Development

During the meeting, Sheikh Khaled and President Putin discussed several critical topics from the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council agenda. A primary theme was the importance of promoting sustainable development to ensure prosperity for nations and communities worldwide.

Their dialogue underscored both nations’ shared vision for responsible global leadership. As part of its foreign policy, the UAE continues to champion initiatives that align economic growth with environmental stewardship and human development.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to international partnerships that support innovation, conflict resolution, and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sheikh Khaled Holds Official Talks with Belarusian President

Earlier, Sheikh Khaled met with Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, at the Palace of Independence in Minsk. The Belarusian leader welcomed the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the accompanying UAE delegation with warm hospitality, reflecting the strength of bilateral ties between the two nations.

President Lukashenko reiterated Belarus’s desire to enhance cooperation with the UAE in areas of mutual interest. He emphasized that strengthening bilateral partnerships serves the shared goal of economic growth and prosperity for both nations.

Sheikh Khaled extended greetings from Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed appreciation for the generous welcome extended by the Belarusian leadership. In return, President Lukashenko conveyed his sincere greetings to the UAE President and shared his wishes for continued success and progress for the Emirati people.

Expanding Trade and Investment Opportunities

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of the Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA) between the UAE and Belarus. This agreement marks a milestone in bilateral relations and creates a solid foundation for deeper private-sector collaboration.

The TISIA aims to enhance market access for UAE businesses across sectors such as financial and business services, consulting, education, and healthcare. It also paves the way for increased foreign direct investment and the creation of joint ventures, further enriching the economic partnership.

Trade between the UAE and Belarus has witnessed exponential growth. In 2024, bilateral non-oil trade soared to approximately $3.9 billion—five times higher than in 2023. This marks a 47-fold increase from 2021, when trade volume was just $82.6 million. This extraordinary growth underscores Belarus’s emergence as a critical trading partner for the UAE in Eastern Europe.

Diplomatic Emphasis on Peace and Stability

The discussions between Sheikh Khaled and both President Putin and President Lukashenko emphasized the shared commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and global stability. They highlighted the importance of international cooperation as a means to promote peace, address global challenges, and ensure sustainable development.

The UAE’s foreign policy continues to advocate dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for resolving disputes and fostering long-term international partnerships. These meetings reflect the UAE’s approach to global governance—one that blends proactive diplomacy with economic opportunity and cultural exchange.

Sheikh Khaled’s discussions also covered geopolitical developments in the region and beyond. All parties agreed on the urgent need to strengthen multilateral collaboration to tackle international crises through peaceful means and strategic dialogue.

Senior UAE Delegation Enhances Diplomatic Mission

Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation representing key sectors of foreign policy, trade, media, and strategic relations. The delegation included:

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Office of the Crown Prince; Maryam Eid AlMheiri, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Media Office and Advisor of Strategic Relations at the Crown Prince Court; and Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh, UAE Ambassador to Belarus.

The composition of the delegation reflected the UAE’s multidimensional approach to diplomacy—blending strategic relations, media diplomacy, and economic development in one unified mission.

Belarus: A Rapidly Expanding Economic Ally

Belarus has emerged as a vital economic ally for the UAE. The exponential growth in trade since 2021 signals a transformation in bilateral relations, driven by shared economic priorities and robust policy frameworks.

The TISIA agreement signed during the visit is expected to catalyze a new phase of business cooperation, offering UAE investors access to untapped Eastern European markets. Belarus, in return, gains from increased economic integration with one of the Middle East’s most dynamic economies.

This partnership not only reflects the UAE’s commitment to economic diversification but also its ambition to serve as a global hub connecting the Middle East, Europe, and Asia through strategic investments and sustainable cooperation.