Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to a royal welcome reserved for only the UAE’s most valued partners. Ilyushin-II 96, the pride of the Russian fleet, landed in the capital after midday and Mr Putin arrived at the Presidential Palace about an hour later. Along the route, the streets were festooned with UAE and Russian flags. A 21-gun salute boomed to welcome Mr Putin, while the smell of oud wafted through the palace in a traditional Emirati welcome. As Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Mr Putin walked through the Great Hall of the palace, it was clear the two leaders share a strong personal bond. Read the <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/uae-and-russia-sign-major-deals-in-energy-and-aviation-1.923922">full story of the day's events here</a>.