Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the UAE on Wednesday on a state visit before going to Saudi Arabia later in the evening.
He was welcomed by President Sheikh Mohamed at an official reception held at Qasr Al Watan.
The national anthems of both countries were played and a 21-gun salute fired as part of a colourful ceremony, state news agency Wam reported.
Al Fursan aerobatic team took to the air to paint the skies in the colours of the Russian flag. The UAE Air Force escorted the Russian President's plane as he entered the country's airspace.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed said the pair discussed bilateral ties and "the importance of strengthening dialogue and co-operation".
"Today in Abu Dhabi I discussed with President Vladimir Putin the ties between our two nations, and the importance of strengthening dialogue and co-operation to ensure stability and progress," Sheikh Mohamed said.
"The UAE will continue to support efforts aimed at enabling global growth, prosperity and development for all."
During the meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Putin discussed issues of mutual interest, including Gaza, Ukraine and Cop28.
They spoke about the need for international action to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as protecting civilians and ensuring the safe, unimpeded and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid.
They stressed the need to find lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, based on a two-state solution.
The meeting also touched on developments in Ukraine, with Sheikh Mohamed emphasising the UAE supports resolving conflicts worldwide through dialogue and diplomacy.
The meeting dealt with Cop28, which is currently being hosted in Expo City Dubai. Mr Putin expressed his hope that the conference would contribute to finding constructive solutions to climate challenges and enhancing international climate action.
Mr Putin also praised the UAE's role on the international stage, especially in the UN Security Council, and its efforts to promote global stability.
In attendance at the reception were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed.
Among others in attendance were Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali Al Shamsi, secretary general of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Dr Mohammed Al Jaber, UAE ambassador to Russia.
The UAE is Russia’s largest Gulf trading partner, accounting for 55 per cent of total Russian-Gulf trade.
Trade between the two countries continues to grow, reaching nearly $10 billion, Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said in September.
He said that figure was likely to increase and Moscow supported the UAE joining the Brics group of nations.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and Argentina will formally become members of Brics on January 1, after being invited to join in August at a three-day summit in Johannesburg.
Brics is an acronym for the group's founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Mr Putin left Abu Dhabi and arrived in Riyadh shortly after 8pm on Wednesday, where he was met by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The kingdom and Russia are working together to achieve stability in the Middle East," said Prince Mohammed, during a live television broadcast.
On his arrival, Mr Putin said: “It is important for all of us to exchange opinions about what is happening in the region. We have well-established good relations with Saudi Arabia in politics, economics, and the humanitarian field.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
Results:
Women:
1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70
Men:
1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30
