The visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to Russia this week was particularly promising for the eight-month-long war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that he’s grateful for the efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, could God shield him, as a mediator in resolving humanitarian points in Ukraine, together with the change of prisoners.
Throughout a press convention in Kazakhstan, the Russian president mentioned that Russia is grateful to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, could God shield him, for his position as a mediator in resolving humanitarian points in Ukraine, together with the change of prisoners.
He continued, “The UAE is, in fact, able to play a mediating position, and I need to say that His Highness the President of the UAE is and concerned on this, together with humanitarian points and the change of prisoners, we’re grateful to him.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the UAE has kept a balanced stance over the war. Abu Dhabi’s election to the UN Security Council for 2022-2023 has been instrumental in this regard, as demonstrated by the UAE’s voting record.
In March, the UAE abstained on a vote condemning Russia’s invasion, but it was one of 10 states on the 15-member UNSC to vote in favor of the text of a US-backed resolution condemning “illegal” Russian referendums conducted in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Moreover, prior to February, relations between Russia and the UAE were solid. In 2020 alone, the UAE increased its trade with Russia by 78 percent year on year. Arguably, Western sanctions and the insecurity generated by the Ukraine war also boosted relations.
The UAE has strengthened its position as the most important Arab destination for Russian investments (involving more than 4,000 companies) and it is the largest Arab investor in Russia.
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