US sanctions PA, and new Syria-Russia relations
On today's episode of Trending Middle East:
This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem correspondent; and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan correspondent.
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Gulf Today
5 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
UAE, Russian Presidents discuss bilateral strategic partnership in Moscow
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, to discuss enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries, in addition to regional and international issues of common interest. The two leaders met on Thursday at the Kremlin as part of Sheikh Mohamed's official visit to Russia. During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Putin reviewed progress in UAE-Russia cooperation, particularly in the fields of the economy, trade, investment, space, and energy, as well as other areas that serve the development-focused priorities of both countries and reflect their aim to bolster their strategic partnership. Sheikh Mohamed shakes hands with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov as Vladimir Putin presents members of the delegation during a meeting at the Kremlin. Reuters Sheikh Mohamed stated that UAE-Russia relations are based on mutual trust and respect, as well as deep-rooted and constructive engagement spanning more than 50 years. His Highness affirmed the UAE's commitment to building effective partnerships with other countries and enhancing international cooperation to address shared global challenges and foster prosperity and development for all. Sheikh Mohamed and Putin also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. In this regard, His Highness affirmed the UAE's steadfast commitment to strengthening peace and stability while advancing diplomatic solutions both regionally and globally. Sheikh Mohamed being presented Russian local food during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. WAM The two sides also discussed the importance of the Russia-Arab summit, scheduled to be held in October at the direction of His Excellency Putin, in strengthening Russia's relations with the Arab world. Sheikh Mohamed and Putin reviewed developments in the Middle East, underscoring the need to intensify efforts towards achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution with the aim of promoting stability and security for all. Vladimir Putin greets members of the UAE delegation as he attends a meeting with Sheikh Mohamed at the Kremlin in Moscow. Reuters His Highness also expressed his appreciation to Putin for facilitating the UAE's mediation concerning the exchange of over 4,000 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, emphasising the UAE's continued willingness to further advance this humanitarian effort. For his part, Putin welcomed Sheikh Mohamed to Russia, expressing his appreciation for the UAE's ongoing mediation efforts on prisoner exchanges. Sheikh Mohamed and Vladimir Putin speak during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. Reuters Putin stated that Russia attaches great importance to developing its relations with the UAE, noting that the two countries' cooperation continues to grow, especially in the economic and investment fields. Putin hosted a luncheon for His Highness and the accompanying delegation. While arriving earlier at the Kremlin, His Highness the President was received by Putin. The national anthems of both countries were played, and Sheikh Mohamed greeted senior officials lined up to welcome him, while Putin greeted members of the delegation accompanying His Highness. On the sidelines of the visit, the two countries signed the Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA). The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and on behalf of the Russian side by Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development. The UAE-Russia TISIA complements the Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, in addition to Russia. It provides a special bilateral cooperation framework focusing on services and investment, including in the areas of financial technology, healthcare, transportation, logistics, professional services, and others. Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Andrey Nikitin, Russian Minister of Transport, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of land transport. The delegation accompanying His Highness the President attended the talks, including Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Ali Bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President's Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; and Dr Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation, along with a number of senior officials. The talks were also attended by ministers and senior officials from the Russian side. Sheikh Mohamed departed Moscow at the conclusion of his official visit to Russia, with military aircraft escorting His Highness' plane through Russian airspace. WAM
TAG 91.1
27 minutes ago
- TAG 91.1
UAE President reviews strategic partnership before departing Moscow
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed progress in UAE-Russia cooperation with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, before concluding his official visit to Moscow on Thursday. The leaders' meeting focused on economy, trade, investment, space, and energy, as well as other areas that serve the development-focused priorities of both countries and reflect their aim of bolstering their strategic partnership. The two countries signed a Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA), complementing the Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the UAE and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It provides a special bilateral cooperation framework focusing on services and investment, including in the areas of financial technology, healthcare, transportation, logistics, professional services, and others. The agreement was signed on behalf of the UAE by His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and on behalf of the Russian side by His Excellency Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development. His Excellency Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Andrey Nikitin, Russian Minister of Transport, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of land transport. Today I met with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the strategic partnership between the UAE and Russia, as well as joint efforts to foster further growth and development for our nations and peoples. The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening… — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 7, 2025 His Highness stated that UAE-Russia relations are based on mutual trust and respect, as well as deep-rooted and constructive engagement spanning more than 50 years. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and His Excellency Putin also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. In this regard, His Highness affirmed the UAE's steadfast commitment to strengthening peace and stability while advancing diplomatic solutions both regionally and globally. The two sides also discussed the importance of the Russia-Arab summit, scheduled to be held in October at the direction of His Excellency Putin, in strengthening Russia's relations with the Arab world. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and His Excellency Putin reviewed developments in the Middle East, underscoring the need to intensify efforts towards achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution with the aim of promoting stability and security for all. His Highness also expressed his appreciation to His Excellency Putin for facilitating the UAE's mediation concerning the exchange of over 4,000 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, emphasising the UAE's continued willingness to further advance this humanitarian effort. For his part, Putin welcomed His Highness to Russia, expressing his appreciation for the UAE's ongoing mediation efforts on prisoner exchanges.
The National
35 minutes ago
- The National
Rising crime poses challenge for Syrian authorities as stability remains elusive
Every August, Syrian architect Fayyad Salem escapes the heat in Damascus by heading to the mountain town of Marmarita, in the west of the country. When he embarked on the two-hour drive this week, his brother-in-law insisted on going with him. 'He thought it would be safer because of the highway robberies and kidnapping,' Mr Salem said. 'We are both unarmed and his presence would not help.' When the two men reached Marmarita, it was empty. Thousands of tourists and people who owned second homes in the town continued to travel there during the civil war, when security personnel at regime roadblocks extorted passengers, but the road was considered relatively safe. 'Marmarita is dead. No one goes there any more. They are afraid to be on that road,' Mr Salem said. Nine months after former president Bashar Al Assad was deposed, rising crime has posed a challenge to a drive by the new government to portray Syria as ready for investment and encourage the return of the country's diaspora. Since the start of this year, 254 people have been killed for apparently non-political reasons across the country, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Clashes this year have also led to the deaths of Alawites, Druze and Bedouins. Displacement and a lack of full-year data makes it difficult to compare the statistics to previous levels. The observatory said the 254 reported killed this year included 40 women and 14 children. The largest proportion of the deaths occurred in the southern province of Deraa, where 52 lost their lives. It found that 41 were killed in Damascus and the surrounding areas, while 18 died in northern Aleppo province. Seventeen people were killed in the coastal province of Latakia, 28 died in Hama and 18 were killed in Homs. During the civil war, the Assad regime carried out indiscriminate bombing campaigns on rebel cities and towns, and tortured and killed its opponents. Passing through its security roadblocks involved paying bribes, while protection rackets in big cities were often formed from within the system. Amid persistent instability in Syria, cases of armed robbery, kidnappings and car theft have become common, business owners said. "A Beretta with an 18-round magazine is on me all the time," said an Aleppo merchant who has been making regular trips to Damascus to expand his retail businesses. In Maliki, the most affluent district of the capital, actress Diala Al Wadi was found dead in her apartment on Sunday. Residents said her apartment had been burgled. Within 24 hours, security forces arrested a man suspected of killing her, as well as detaining her housekeeper in connection with the crime. Justice Minister Mazhar Al Wais said the state would punish those involved 'as a warning to anyone who dares violate innocent lives". A similar case in Maliki last month has not yet been solved. Amal Al Bustani, a doctor living in the area, was killed in her home, along with her housemaid. 'Going into homes and killing their owners and robbing them used to be unheard of in Maliki,' said Ramez Alaas, a contractor who lives in the neighbourhood. Under the former regime, secret police were posted in Maliki because Mr Al Assad lived there, as had his father, Hafez. A commander in the Damascus police force acknowledged that crime 'is a problem' but said authorities planned to install security cameras and had already sent more officers to catch 'everything from traffic violations to public safety threats'. He said the size of the force had been increased, having faced a severe shortfall when the former regime fell and members of its security forces fled. In Aleppo, the country's business capital, the authorities have been installing cameras after a wave of kidnappings in which workers and managers of factories on the edge of the city were held for ransom. Aleppo remains a close-knit society and more criminals appear to be apprehended there than in Damascus, but economic malaise and an influx of migrants from neighbouring Idlib has kept lawlessness rife, according to a textile factory owner in Aleppo. 'It is understandable that it will take time to establish law and order, but people are becoming fed up,' the industrialist said. 'A replica of the old system is developing – gangs close to the regime who are untouchable."
