United Arab Emirates
Background
The United Arab Emirates is a country in West Asia at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as the capital and Dubai as the largest city. The country borders Oman and Saudi Arabia by land and has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman. Arabic is the official language, Islam is the state religion, and the population in 2024 was estimated at more than 11 million.
In international affairs, the UAE is an important Gulf state and a member of the United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC, the World Trade Organization, BRICS, and other multilateral groupings. Its economy is among the most diversified in the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dubai functions as a regional hub for finance, tourism, and commerce. The country also holds major hydrocarbon reserves, including some of the world’s largest oil and natural gas reserves, and its role as a Middle Eastern business and transport center gives it significance in diplomacy, trade, and energy markets. In Russian foreign policy reporting, the UAE has appeared as a partner in regional consultations, including discussions on Middle East tensions and coordination at the United Nations.
The present-day state grew out of the Trucial States, a British protectorate formed by local sheikhdoms in the 19th century and lasting until full independence in 1971. The territory was shaped earlier by maritime trade, European competition in the Gulf, and British intervention linked to piracy and regional rivalry. Since independence, the federation has developed rapidly under the leadership of Abu Dhabi’s rulers, especially after oil revenues were invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. In recent Russian official statements, the UAE has also been referenced in connection with regional security concerns and travel warnings related to instability in the wider Gulf and Middle East.
Timeline
The article said that the United Arab Emirates was among the Gulf states to which Russia’s Foreign Ministry advised citizens to avoid traveling because of regional hostilities.
Warning for Citizens of the Russian Federation Planning Travel AbroadThe UAE supported Russian citizens amid the deteriorating Middle East situation.
Telephone Conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanThe UAE President discussed the deteriorating Middle East situation with Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation.
Telephone Conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanRussia thanked the UAE for its support to Russian citizens there.
Telephone Conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al NahyanThe United Arab Emirates agreed to coordinate its position with Russia at the UN on long-term regional security.
Press Release: On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Abdullah bin Zayed
Documents
Telephone Conversation with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Putin called UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed to mark his 65th birthday, discussed the deteriorating Middle East situation, and thanked the UAE for supporting Russian citizens there.
Warning for Citizens of the Russian Federation Planning Travel Abroad
Russia's Foreign Ministry warned citizens against travel to Gulf states amid ongoing regional hostilities, citing risks of cancelled connecting flights and personal safety concerns.
Press Release: On the Telephone Conversation Between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Abdullah bin Zayed
Lavrov and UAE Foreign Minister bin Zayed called for immediate de-escalation around Iran and agreed to coordinate positions at the UN on long-term regional security.