Letter.

Letter Published in The National UAE on  17 oct 19.Good things should come out of the UAE’s friendship with Russia

I write to you in reference to the National Editorial UAE and Russia celebrate longstanding ties (October 15). The visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the UAE underlines two realities: one is the growing influence of Russia in the Middle East and the other is the importance of the UAE in the eyes of the world.

The Russians have immersed themselves in a region where the US, still considered the pre-eminent power in the world, has started to disengage. For its part, the UAE is doing the right thing – and the smart thing – by engaging with Russia even though it has close ties with the US, which is seen as the rival of a country that was once part of the Soviet Union. The UAE has maintained good relations with the international community, focusing on how to make the world a better place. Indeed, the UAE’s partnership with Russia has resulted in positive developments like Hazza Al Mansouri’s visit to space. More progress will no doubt be expected in the years to come.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru