This study is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the legal foundations of cooperation between Russian banks and credit institutions of the United Arab Emirates in the context of increased sanctions pressure and the transformation of the global financial architecture. The paper examines multi-level regulatory mechanisms: the national legislation of the Russian Federation and the UAE, including the special jurisdictions of the DIFC and ADGM financial zones, as well as bilateral international agreements that form the legal basis for cross-border banking operations. The key legal and sanctions risks associated with the tightening of compliance procedures by Emirati banks under pressure from the United States and the FATF, increased transaction blockages and requirements for disclosure of the beneficial structure have been identified. Based on the results of the study, risk minimization mechanisms were proposed, as well as promising areas of cooperation were identified.