Zelenskyy Visits UAE Amid Growing Momentum for Peace Talks
A Significant Diplomatic Visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) late Sunday, as discussions around potential peace talks to end Russia’s war on Ukraine continue to gain momentum.
Zelenskyy landed in Abu Dhabi after attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Footage from his office showed him and First Lady Olena Zelenska being greeted by an Emirati official and an honor guard upon arrival. While Zelenska has previously visited the UAE since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, this marks Zelenskyy’s first visit to the country since the war began.
Why the UAE?
The UAE has been floated as a potential neutral ground for peace talks due to:
Its large Russian and Ukrainian expatriate population
Its previous involvement in prisoner exchanges
Its diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine
Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia, signaling increased global efforts to explore diplomatic solutions.
Priorities for the Visit
Zelenskyy’s office emphasized three key objectives for the trip:
Securing prisoner releases to bring more Ukrainians home
Boosting investments and economic partnerships
Expanding large-scale humanitarian programs
Interestingly, the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency did not immediately report on Zelenskyy’s arrival, which is unusual for high-profile visits.
Tensions at the Defense Conference
Zelenskyy’s visit coincides with the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s largest arms trade shows. Notably, both Ukraine and Russia are displaying military equipment at the event, despite Western sanctions on Moscow over its ongoing war.
Meanwhile, Denis Manturov, Russia’s first deputy prime minister, also visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday, meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their discussions reportedly focused on “growing UAE-Russia ties”, highlighting the complex diplomatic landscape.
Russian Influence in the UAE
Despite sanctions, Russian money continues to pour into Dubai’s booming real estate market. Daily flights between the UAE and Moscow have provided a crucial link for:
Russian elites
Those fleeing military conscription
The U.S. Treasury under President Joe Biden has previously raised concerns about the surge of Russian capital into the UAE, further complicating global financial dynamics.
What’s Next?
Zelenskyy’s trip signals a major diplomatic push as Ukraine seeks stronger alliances, humanitarian aid, and a path toward ending the war. However, with Russia’s continued presence in the region, the geopolitical stakes remain high.
More updates are expected as Zelenskyy’s agenda in the UAE unfolds.
