'Russia Day: A Celebration of History, Sovereignty and Partnership'

10/06/2026

On June 12, Russia marks its national holiday, Russia Day. This date commemorates the adoption, exactly 36 years ago, of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. That was Russia’s official name during the Soviet era.

The history of our country, however, stretches back more than a millenium. Modern Russia is the successor to Ancient Rus’ (Kievan Rus), the Tsardom of Moscow, the Russian Empire and, ultimately, the Soviet Union. Extending across thousands of kilometres from the Baltic Sea in Europe to the Pacific Ocean in the Russian Far East, Russia represents a unique and distinctive civilization with its own rich traditions, cultural heritage and historical experience.

Throughout its long history, Russia has endured countless challenges and severe trials. Numerous foreign invaders—from the Mongol hordes in the Middle Ages to European conquerors such as Napoleon and Hitler in the 19th and 20th centuries—sought to subjugate our nation. Yet Russia not only withstood these invasions but also contributed to the liberation of other peoples across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

In the context of ongoing geopolitical transformations, Russia continues to resist the Western policies aimed at hegemonic domination and isolating our country. Together with like-minded partners, we advocate the establishment of a just and multipolar world order based on genuine equality, mutual respect and adherence to international law, free from dictate or double standards. The concept of the so-called “rules-based international order” promoted by the collective West does not reflect the interests of the global South.

As for the Arab world, Russia has consistently sought to build relations founded on mutual respect, trust and pursuit of shared interests. This approach fully applies to Kuwait. This year, our diplomatic relations mark their 63rd anniversary. Our countries are bound by strong, time-tested ties of friendship and cooperation.

Kuwait was the first Arab Gulf state to establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1963. In historical terms, however, our contacts go back even further. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Imperial Russian naval vessels, including the legendary cruiser Varyag, paid friendly visits to Kuwait during the reign of the visionary ruler Sheikh Mubarak the Great.

At present, Russia holds in high regard the wise and consistent policies pursued by the Kuwaiti leadership. Kuwait has always remained committed to advancing its national interests while maintaining balanced and constructive relations with major international partners. As a result, our bilateral ties have withstood the test of time and remained resilient regardless of changes on the global scene.

An important chapter in our shared history was the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait in 1990–1991. Kuwaitis appreciate the political and diplomatic support extended by the Soviet Union during that difficult period. Equally significant was the humanitarian dimension of our assistance. During the Iraqi occupation, the world-renowned State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg played a crucial role in preserving Kuwait’s cultural heritage. Priceless works of Islamic art from Kuwaiti museum collections, which had been exhibited at the Hermitage shortly before the invasion, were carefully safeguarded in the museum’s repositories until they could be safely returned.

Politically, our countries maintain a regular and substantive dialogue. The most recent meeting between the Russian and Kuwaiti Foreign Ministers took place in September 2025 in Sochi on the sidelines of the eighth ministerial meeting of the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue, which was co-chaired by the Russian and Kuwaiti sides.

This year will also see important multilateral engagements. GCC partners will host the ninth ministerial meeting of the Russia-GCC Strategic Dialogue. In addition, the Russia-Arab Cooperation Forum is scheduled to convene in Moscow in September, providing another practical platform for strengthening cooperation between Russia and the Arab world.

Economically, Russia and Kuwait as major oil-producing and exporting nations share a natural convergence of interests in the energy sector and cooperate closely within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including OPEC+, to support stability and predictability on global energy markets. At the same time, opportunities for cooperation extend beyond oil and gas. Russian agricultural products increasingly get their ground on the Kuwaiti market, reflecting the growing interest of Kuwait in long-term partnerships for the sake of food security.

Tourism has emerged as another important pillar of bilateral relations. Today, Russia is among the most attractive new destinations for visitors from the Gulf region. In 2025, approximately 20,000 Kuwaiti citizens travelled to Russia – a sign of the steadily growing interest in our country. Visitors are drawn by its rich cultural and historical heritage, diverse natural landscapes and climate zones, modern urban infrastructure, high standards of safety and competitive prices.

Travel has become even more convenient thanks to Russia’s electronic visa system, which allows Kuwaiti citizens to obtain visas online within just four days and stay in the country for up to one month. In addition to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the city of Sochi on the coast of the Black sea has gained particular popularity in recent years. Its mild seaside climate, combined with world-class mountain and coastal resorts, offers Kuwaiti visitors unique opportunities for both summer and winter holidays.

Our practical cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is also expanding. A notable example was the successful holding of the Moscow Seasons festival in Kuwait in September 2025, which vividly demonstrated the growing interest of the Kuwaiti public in Russian culture, traditions, and contemporary life.

Cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges continue to enrich our partnership and strengthen mutual understanding between our nations. These contacts provide a solid foundation for the further development of Russian–Kuwaiti relations in the years ahead.

As Russia celebrates its national holiday, we look back with pride at our history while viewing our future with confidence. We remain committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations our partners with Kuwait ranking high among them.

By H.E. Mr. Vladimir Zheltov
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the State of Kuwait