The Non-Resident Maldivian Ambassador to Russia Lieutenant General (Retired) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef has presented his letter of credence to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Maldivian Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Abdul Raheem presented his letter of credence to President Putin during a ceremony that took place at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Thursday.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef conveyed warm greetings from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to President Putin, as well as to the Government and the people of the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef currently serves as the Maldivian Ambassador to Türkiye, and will concurrently serve as Non-Resident Ambassador to Russia with residence in Ankara.
Non-Resident Ambassador of the Maldives Presents Letters of Credence to the President of the Russian Federation???? Press Release | https://t.co/RqwxTtVU16 pic.twitter.com/TqQBNU811R
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ???????? (@MoFAmv) January 16, 2026
Abdul Raheem’s appointment as the Non-Resident Maldivian Ambassador to Russia was approved by the Parliament on March 3rd, 2025. He was subsequently appointed to the post on March 11th, 2025.
Abdul Raheem, who served as the Vice Chief of Defense Force during the last administration, was promoted to Chief of Defense Force after President Muizzu assumed office on November 17, 2023.
However, he retired from military service after 39 years when he turned 60 - the maximum age allowed under the law to remain in military service.
 
Russia is one of the countries with the highest tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Many Maldivian students are also pursuing their education in Russia, particularly in medicine.