UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday sent a message of congratulations to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s careful diplomatic balancing act between Kyiv and Moscow.
As global tensions persist, the UAE’s diplomatic balancing act highlights its ambition to play the role of a regional mediator and pragmatic power © Mena Today
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday sent a message of congratulations to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s careful diplomatic balancing act between Kyiv and Moscow.
The United Arab Emirates has cultivated close ties with Ukraine, particularly in trade, investment, and humanitarian cooperation, while at the same time preserving strong relations with Russia, a key energy partner and influential player in the Middle East.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the UAE has positioned itself as a neutral mediator, offering humanitarian aid to Ukrainians while engaging Moscow through high-level diplomatic contacts.
Abu Dhabi has also hosted international discussions on global energy security and food supply chains, issues directly impacted by the conflict.
The congratulatory message to Zelenskyy reflects the UAE’s broader “bridge-building” strategy: maintaining credibility with Western partners through symbolic gestures of support for Ukraine, while keeping open lines of dialogue with Russia to safeguard its geopolitical and economic interests.
As global tensions persist, the UAE’s diplomatic balancing act highlights its ambition to play the role of a regional mediator and pragmatic power, navigating between competing blocs without alienating either side.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 146 prisoners of war from each side on Sunday after mediation by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian defence ministry and the Ukrainian president said.
The state visit of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Angola marks a key milestone in strengthening bilateral ties, reflecting the UAE’s growing engagement with Africa and its commitment to advancing development and prosperity across the continent.
The Trump administration on Thursday issued more Iran-related sanctions, targeting 13 entities based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates and the Marshall Islands, as well as eight vessels, the U.S. Treasury Department said.
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