Skip to main content

UAE congratulates Ukraine on independence day

1 min Bruno Finel

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 

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.

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel is the editor-in-chief of Mena Today. He has extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa, with several decades of reporting on current affairs in the region.

Related

Sudan

UAE calls for immediate ceasefire in Sudan

The UAE used an urgent session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in El-Obeid to deliver a stark message: there is no military solution to Sudan's conflict, and the only viable path forward is an immediate and unconditional ceasefire combined with an urgent humanitarian truce.

Libya

UAE and Libya strengthen ties

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) received Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who is on a working visit to the UAE, for talks covering bilateral relations and regional developments.

Iran

Iran threatens U.S., Israel before funeral

An Iranian military commander warned the United States and Israel on Thursday against any attack on Iran as it prepares for the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes on the first day of the war.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.