03/02/2025
Share:
03/02/2025
Share:
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kuwait Vladimir Geltov
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 3: The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kuwait Vladimir Geltov announced that an understanding has been reached with the Kuwaiti side to hold joint security exercises with the Special Forces regularly, indicating that all matters are progressing in the right direction. He said this in a statement issued on the sidelines of the promotional exhibition of the Russian city of Sochi and the celebration of the second anniversary of the launch of direct Jazeera Airways flights to Russia.
The event was attended by employees of Russian travel companies, authorities from the Krasnodar region, and representatives from Jazeera Airways. Regarding visas, Ambassador Geltov explained that Kuwaitis can apply for a Russian visa online and receive it within three days, without the need to visit the consular section of the embassy. This visa allows a stay in Russia for up to 16 days. For stays longer than 16 days, applicants must visit the consular section of the embassy, where they can apply for a visa that allows them to stay for up to three months. On the other hand, Kuwait permits citizens from 53 countries to apply for an entry visa online or upon arrival at the airport.
However, Russia is not currently on this list but efforts are ongoing with the Kuwaiti authorities to ensure Russians receive the same treatment. Meanwhile, Russia has recently regained its status as one of the top tourist destinations for Gulf citizens, particularly from Kuwait. There has been a great increase in Gulf visitors to cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 2024, the number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting Russia more than doubled, thanks to the introduction of electronic visas for Kuwaiti citizens, which made travel to Russia much easier.
The number of Kuwaiti tourists in Russia in 2024 is estimated at around 15,000. In addition, Ambassador Geltov revealed that Kuwait Airways will begin operating its first flight to Moscow at the start of May 2025. He affirmed that Russian-Kuwaiti relations continue to grow in various fields, with tourism being one of the fastest-growing sectors. Ambassador Geltov indicated that Kuwait is one of the leading countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in terms of the growth rate of tourists traveling to Russia. This follows the launch of direct flights between Moscow and Kuwait by Jazeera Airways in 2023, which now operate nine flights per week.
Regarding security cooperation between the two countries, and the visit of a Russian security delegation to Kuwait last week to participate in exercises with Kuwait’s Special Forces, Ambassador Geltov explained that Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior periodically organizes the “Swapt” security competition for Special Forces. This competition, which involves teams from various countries, witnessed the participation of 26 security teams last year, including a Russian team. He clarified that the agreement does not include the use of Russian military equipment, stating that it is solely focused on joint security exercises.
Ambassador Geltov highlighted the exchange of visits between officials from both nations, referring to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya’s visit to Moscow last year and his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He also referred to Al-Yahya’s participation in the Russian-Kuwaiti bilateral dialogue meetings. Ambassador Geltov mentioned the Russian-Gulf strategic dialogue held last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, clarifying that this dialogue is held annually either in one of the Gulf countries or Russia. He proposed the idea of rotating the location to include other Russian cities, given Russia’s vast size, suggesting cities like St. Petersburg or Sochi as potential venues. Ambassador Geltov also referred to the visit by the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department Alexander Kinshak, who previously served as the Russian Ambassador to Kuwait from 2008 to 2013. During his visit to Kuwait last week, Kinshak held consultations with the Kuwaiti side at the level of the two foreign ministries
The event was attended by employees of Russian travel companies, authorities from the Krasnodar region, and representatives from Jazeera Airways. Regarding visas, Ambassador Geltov explained that Kuwaitis can apply for a Russian visa online and receive it within three days, without the need to visit the consular section of the embassy. This visa allows a stay in Russia for up to 16 days. For stays longer than 16 days, applicants must visit the consular section of the embassy, where they can apply for a visa that allows them to stay for up to three months. On the other hand, Kuwait permits citizens from 53 countries to apply for an entry visa online or upon arrival at the airport.
However, Russia is not currently on this list but efforts are ongoing with the Kuwaiti authorities to ensure Russians receive the same treatment. Meanwhile, Russia has recently regained its status as one of the top tourist destinations for Gulf citizens, particularly from Kuwait. There has been a great increase in Gulf visitors to cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 2024, the number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting Russia more than doubled, thanks to the introduction of electronic visas for Kuwaiti citizens, which made travel to Russia much easier.
The number of Kuwaiti tourists in Russia in 2024 is estimated at around 15,000. In addition, Ambassador Geltov revealed that Kuwait Airways will begin operating its first flight to Moscow at the start of May 2025. He affirmed that Russian-Kuwaiti relations continue to grow in various fields, with tourism being one of the fastest-growing sectors. Ambassador Geltov indicated that Kuwait is one of the leading countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in terms of the growth rate of tourists traveling to Russia. This follows the launch of direct flights between Moscow and Kuwait by Jazeera Airways in 2023, which now operate nine flights per week.
Regarding security cooperation between the two countries, and the visit of a Russian security delegation to Kuwait last week to participate in exercises with Kuwait’s Special Forces, Ambassador Geltov explained that Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior periodically organizes the “Swapt” security competition for Special Forces. This competition, which involves teams from various countries, witnessed the participation of 26 security teams last year, including a Russian team. He clarified that the agreement does not include the use of Russian military equipment, stating that it is solely focused on joint security exercises.
Ambassador Geltov highlighted the exchange of visits between officials from both nations, referring to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya’s visit to Moscow last year and his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He also referred to Al-Yahya’s participation in the Russian-Kuwaiti bilateral dialogue meetings. Ambassador Geltov mentioned the Russian-Gulf strategic dialogue held last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, clarifying that this dialogue is held annually either in one of the Gulf countries or Russia. He proposed the idea of rotating the location to include other Russian cities, given Russia’s vast size, suggesting cities like St. Petersburg or Sochi as potential venues. Ambassador Geltov also referred to the visit by the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department Alexander Kinshak, who previously served as the Russian Ambassador to Kuwait from 2008 to 2013. During his visit to Kuwait last week, Kinshak held consultations with the Kuwaiti side at the level of the two foreign ministries
By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
