Zelenskyy visits UAE as war peace talks gain momentum

Zelenskyy Visits UAE Amid Rising Momentum for Peace Talks

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday as progress is being made on possible peace negotiations to put an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Following the Munich Security Conference in Germany, the visit takes place as talks about potential negotiations heat up. The United Arab Emirates, with its large population of Russian and Ukrainian expatriates and a history of facilitating prisoner swaps, is a potential venue for peace talks.

At the same time, speculation about future diplomatic meetings increased when former US President Donald Trump suggested that he might meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia.

Zelensky was welcomed by Emirati officials during his visit to Abu Dhabi, accompanied by First Lady Olena Zelenska. He has put humanitarian aid, economic cooperation and prisoner swap talks on his agenda. His office stressed that the release of Ukrainian hostages remains a key goal.

The UAE’s state-run news agency, WAM, has yet to report on his arrival, an unusual move. At the same time, Abu Dhabi is hosting its International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), where both Ukraine and Russia are showcasing military technology despite Western sanctions against Moscow.

Zelenskyy’s visit takes place at the same time that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov visited the UAE and met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to talk about economic cooperation and UAE-Russia relations. Due in large part to worries about sanction evasion, Russian financial influence in Dubai’s real estate market is still under international scrutiny.

The UAE’s role in promoting communication between opposing factions is still being keenly observed as diplomatic maneuvering becomes more intense.