The two countries established diplomatic relations on December 8, 1971.

On September 11, 2007, the first in the history of Russian-Emirate relations Russian head-of-state visit  to the UAE took place.

The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum paid an official visit to Russia on March 30, 2009 at the invitation of the RF Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The crown prince of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Al Nahyan visited Russia in September 2006, June 2009, October 2012, September 2013, April 2017.

Trade and economic relations of the two countries are regulated by the Intergovernmental Agreement on trade, economic and technical cooperation dated 1990. The Agreement on Cooperation between the CCI of Russia and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the United Arab Emirates has been in force since 1994. The Intergovernmental the Russian-Emirates Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation (established in 1994) has been functioning successfully. Since September 2005 the Russian-Emirates Business Council (REDS) has been operating.

Military-technical cooperation between the countries is also developing. From 2000 to 2016 the United Arab Emirates received Russian defence products at a cost of almost $ 900 million.

Rosoboronexport is a regular participant of the International Defence Exhibition IDEX, which is held in Abu Dhabi once in 2 years (since 1993), as well as of the International Aerospace Exhibition “Dubai Aeroshow” held in Dubai also once in 2 years.

There is a representative office of the State Corporation Rostec in the UAE, which ensures the interests of Rosoboronexport. Rep office’s contacts – phone: (+9712) 639-08-06, fax: (+9712) 441-07-05, е-mail: rep4336@rostec.ru