Sheikh Mohamed positioning UAE as a friend to all sides

 

UAE's efforts under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to maintain relationships with multiple countries, including the United States, Russia, and China. These developments showcase the UAE's diplomatic approach of positioning itself as a friend to all sides and its willingness to engage with nations with diverse geopolitical interests.

The invitation for Sheikh Mohamed to visit Washington and the discussions on a landmark agreement on commerce and defense indicate the UAE's ongoing commitment to its relationship with the United States. Despite expanding relations with Russia and China, Emirati officials have emphasized that these ties can actually support the UAE's relationship with the United States rather than hinder it.

The meeting between Sheikh Mohamed and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the Emirati leader reinforced US interests and offered assistance in a prisoner exchange involving WNBA star Brittney Griner, suggests the UAE's diplomatic engagement with Russia. The subsequent release of Griner in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout at an Emirati airbase demonstrates the UAE's active involvement in international affairs and its willingness to facilitate diplomatic exchanges.