February 17th 2025.
Abu Dhabi was abuzz with diplomatic activity as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived for a meeting with the leader of the United Arab Emirates on Monday. This meeting comes at a crucial time as momentum grows for potential peace talks that could bring an end to Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine. The possibility of peace talks was further hinted at by US President Donald Trump's recent suggestion of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia. The UAE, with its bustling cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, has long been considered a potential location for such negotiations due to its large population of Russian and Ukrainian expatriates and its previous efforts in facilitating prisoner exchanges.
Zelenskyy's visit to Abu Dhabi was preceded by his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Excitement was palpable as footage released by his office showed the president and his wife, Olena Zelenska, being warmly welcomed by an Emirati official and an honor guard at the airport. This is Zelenskyy's first visit to the UAE since the war began.
In a statement released online, Zelenskyy's office emphasized their top priority of bringing more Ukrainian prisoners of war back home. They also highlighted their focus on strengthening economic partnerships and implementing a large-scale humanitarian program. Video footage of Zelenskyy's meeting with UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was shared on social media, where the president announced the signing of a deal that would greatly liberalize access to the UAE market for Ukrainian goods.
Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko took to Facebook to express her excitement over this historic agreement, the country's first with a Gulf Arab state. The two nations also agreed to establish a Ukraine-UAE Investment Council, which is expected to further boost economic cooperation. Svyrydenko stated her confidence that this deal will not only strengthen their economies but also lay the groundwork for a long-term and stable relationship between the two countries.
The UAE's state-run WAM news agency confirmed the visit and reported that the leaders discussed various aspects of their relationship, including economic, investment, and developmental ties. They also touched upon issues such as renewable energy, food security, and other important areas. The UAE leader expressed the country's eagerness to support efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis and to continue working towards mitigating its humanitarian impact.
Zelenskyy's visit coincides with the biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference arms show hosted by Abu Dhabi this week. Both Ukraine and Russia have showcased their weapons at the fair, despite the latter facing Western sanctions over the war. While Ukraine is not selling any weapons, their presence at the fair is crucial, according to Ivan Sybyriakov, senior manager of the Unmanned Systems Center at the SPETS Techno Export. He emphasized Ukraine's role as the defender of Europe and their determination to showcase their capabilities despite being at war.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also visited the country's stands at the arms fair, even as Russia attempted to sell their own weapons. He proudly stated that despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has the capacity to produce 4 million drones annually and has high-quality products that can be tested on the battlefield. Sybiha emphasized his pride in representing a country at war and visiting the exposition.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the influx of Russian money into Dubai's real estate market. Daily flights between the Emirates and Moscow provide a lifeline for those fleeing conscription and the Russian elite. The US Treasury, under former President Joe Biden, has also expressed concerns over the amount of Russian cash flowing into the country.
Zelenskyy's visit coincided with Russian first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov's meeting with Sheikh Mohammed on Sunday. The talks were described by WAM as focused on strengthening UAE-Russia ties and advancing shared interests for the benefit of both nations and their people. In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a delegation to Saudi Arabia this week for direct talks with Russia over the war. He is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and other officials on Tuesday. Ukraine will not be present at these talks.
This outreach and Trump's direct call with Putin have marked a significant shift in US policy under Biden, which previously isolated Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in 2014. When asked about what he would say to his American counterpart ahead of the meeting, Sybiha declined to comment. As the possibility of peace talks looms, the future of Ukraine's relationship with Russia remains uncertain.
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