Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Receives Putin: UAE, Russia Agree on Need to Confront Terrorism

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi receives Russian President Putin in the UAE. (WAM)
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi receives Russian President Putin in the UAE. (WAM)
TT

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Receives Putin: UAE, Russia Agree on Need to Confront Terrorism

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi receives Russian President Putin in the UAE. (WAM)
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi receives Russian President Putin in the UAE. (WAM)

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, and Russian President Vladimir Putin of Russia held an official meeting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his hopes that Putin's visit to the UAE would achieve the set goals and objectives to bolster UAE-Russia ties across multiple sectors, in the interest of the two countries.

The two sides also addressed regional and international developments, focusing on the Gulf and Middle East region, as well as common political, security and economic affairs.

Sheikh Mohamed also conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Putin. He stressed that UAE-Russia ties have strong foundations based on mutual trust and respect, further bolstered by various exchange visits.

Sheikh Mohamed added that that the UAE is keen on further developing relations with Russia across multiple sectors.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince went on to note the Declaration of Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in 2018, as well as other partnerships across multiple sectors, are an indication of the vested interest the two countries have as a policy to further broadening collaboration, reported the UAE news agency (WAM).

He praised the fruitful UAE-Russian cooperation in the space sciences and industry, which culminated in the successful space mission of the first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station.

The UAE and Russia, Sheikh Mohamed added, agree on the need to confront the threat of terrorism and extremism that are a threat to global peace and security.

He added that the security of the Arab Gulf region is not only of regional interest, but also of global importance, given the great strategic relevance for global economies. He stressed that the UAE is keen on ensuring that global oil supplies and global maritime navigation continue without disruption.

Putin met with UAE astronauts Hazza Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi on the sidelines of the visit.

He added that the bilateral relations between Moscow and Abu Dhabi continue to grow in a friendly and constructive context, adding that Declaration of Strategic Partnership signals the strong trade and economic ties they share. Putin went on to note that the two countries have partnered across many investment areas, particularly in the energy and peaceful nuclear energy sectors.

Putin last visited the UAE in 2007.

Putin landed in Abu Dhabi Tuesday after visiting Saudi Arabia on Monday where he held official talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.



Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
TT

Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”


US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, Alison Dilworth, said Sunday that the World Defense Show currently being held in Riyadh reflects the strongest manifestation of the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Kingdom, affirming that relations between the two countries “have never been stronger than they are today.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Show, Dilworth said the strong US participation in the exhibition clearly demonstrates the strength of cooperation between Washington and Riyadh. She pointed out that the partnership has witnessed sustained and strengthening growth in recent years.

Dilworth added that the Show brings together major global names in defense and aviation, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, alongside small and medium-sized US companies working in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced defense systems, reflecting the diversity of American participation and the broad scope of technical and industrial cooperation.

She highlighted that US companies aim to grow with Saudi partners, supporting the Kingdom’s security and prosperity in line with Vision 2030.

On the Saudi-US political momentum that has strengthened bilateral relations in recent years, Dilworth said that 2025 saw what she described as a “historic” visit by US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom, followed by a visit by the Saudi Crown Prince to Washington in November.

The two visits resulted in the signing of 23 agreements which she described as “pivotal achievements” in the trajectory of US-Saudi cooperation.

Regarding the military displays at the exhibition, the diplomat highlighted that the F-35 and the scheduled aerial demonstrations underscore the US commitment as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia.