Kadyrov, MBZ, and a Moscow Visit: BRICS Context
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov disclosed through his Telegram channel that he was part of the Russian delegation that greeted United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his Moscow visit. The public acknowledgment is read by regional watchers as a signal of Moscow’s intention to present a steady, approachable partnership with Gulf capitals amid ongoing economic and strategic conversations. Kadyrov’s message also underscores how Moscow aims to project unity across its power centers, sending a clear message to markets and allies in North America that Russia can coordinate closely with its international partners in high-profile settings.
“My dear brother, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Russia on an official visit. It was a great honor for me to meet a distinguished guest in Moscow as part of our delegation. I greeted him warmly,” Kadyrov wrote. The wording carries a familial tone that Moscow often uses in public diplomacy to emphasize warmth and continuity in its relations with Gulf states. For observers in Canada and the United States, the line signals a deliberate attempt to humanize official contact while signaling substantive cooperation on shared areas such as energy, trade, and security cooperation.
The UAE leader arrived in Moscow for the official visit in the evening, traveling through the city in a presidential Aurus car. In the evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the visitor to an informal dinner at his Novo-Ogarevo residence near Moscow. Officials indicated that formal discussions between the two leaders were planned for October 21, highlighting a blend of ceremonial hospitality and concrete policy dialogue that resonates with Western audiences watching Moscow’s diplomacy closely. The appearance of a high-level banquet and a private dinner is a familiar device used by Moscow to frame serious talks within a cordial, accessible atmosphere.
Apart from his personal meeting with Putin, the UAE president was slated to participate in BRICS summit events in Kazan from October 22 to 24. BRICS had expanded to include five new member states in January 2024, broadening the bloc’s reach and its economic and political footprint. Leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping were expected to attend the gatherings, underscoring the bloc’s growing influence on global economics and geopolitics. For readers in Canada and the United States, the scene offers a window into how regional powers are recalibrating their alliances, energy strategies, and trade pathways in a rapidly shifting international landscape, with Moscow hosting a broadened coalition and Abu Dhabi playing a pivotal role in bridging energy and security interests.
Overall, Kremlin briefings framed the Moscow stop as part of ongoing diplomacy that balances public hospitality with substantive policy talks. The invitation to MBZ and the broader BRICS context reflect Moscow’s aim to diversify its international partnerships while underscoring a shared agenda with Gulf states and other rising powers in a changing world order.