The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to stand out as one of a few countries eager to maintain a neutral, if not helpful, position toward Moscow.
The Western community strives to diplomatically isolate Russia in the wake of massive worldwide condemnation of its war on Ukraine.
It was one of an overwhelming majority of countries that endorsed a resolution at an extraordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). As it condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demanding that Moscow withdraw its forces immediately.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE presidential adviser, made a statement on Twitter. He stated that the Gulf state believes that taking sides will only lead to further violence. Also, the UAE’s first goal was to “urge all parties to resort to diplomatic action.
” The UAE’s varied votes, according to Andreas Krieg, an associate professor, that represents a “balancing act.” It has chosen to pursue in regards to the Ukraine-Russia crisis and broader foreign policy problems.
The UAE’s desire to help Russia while remaining neutral in the crisis, as mentioned by Krieg. It was due to the fact that the more symbolic UNGA resolution was “less likely to antagonize Russia” than the UNSC resolution.
A delicate balancing act
The UAE has long been a US ally. It’s observers believe its attitude on the European crisis which highlights a transition. Also, an attempt to balance relations in a globalist agenda where Moscow and Beijing are equally vital for the Gulf state.
“Abu Dhabi aspires to pursue a flexible foreign policy that extends beyond the UAE’s Western connections,” as mentioned by Giorgio Cafiero, CEO and founder of Gulf State Analytics.
“In the future, it expects China, Russia, and India to play increasingly significant roles as rising global powers, filling a hole left by the Americans,” stated by one of the reports..
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had communicated with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In order to stress the “need of forging a robust global reaction to support Ukrainian sovereignty.”
The UAE, on the other hand, elected not to react to Washington’s pleadings by voting no. UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef al-Otaiba recognized that the UAE-US relationship was through a “stress test.”
But the expressed optimism that both sides would “come out on top.” In response to a UN Human Rights Council petition, the UAE declared it will donate $5 million in humanitarian relief to Ukrainian citizens.
Strong links and a strong alliance
The UAE’s actions only heightened awareness of Abu Dhabi’s close partnership with Moscow. The UAE has increasingly pivoted away from the West and liberal world order toward a new order that includes China and Russia.
Further, the UAE sees Moscow as a “very crucial” geostrategic and geopolitical partner.
At the same time, the UAE is a crucial enabler of Russia in the Middle East. Therefore noting that UAE assistance has been critical to Russia’s roles in Libya and Syria.
As well as its participation in Yemen and Sub-Saharan Africa.
During Syria’s decade-long civil conflict, Russia has been a close friend of President Bashar al-Assad. It even send around 63,000 Russian military soldiers to the country.
Also, its engagement in 2015, when it launched air strikes in favor of al-Assad. It was a watershed moment in the conflict. It also allowed pro-government forces to reclaim territory lost to rebels.
Conclusion
Despite this cooperation, the UAE was unlikely to intervene directly in Ukraine. It preferred instead to support Russia by assisting its “oligarchs and deep state surrounding Putin to escape sanctions.”
Canada, the EU, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others, announced a series of sanctions against Russia. Thus, it targeted banks, oil refineries, and military exports.
