Dr Samuel Ramani

On February 4-5, the UAE hosted its second round of peace negotiations between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. officials. Although the talks did not achieve an immediate ceasefire, they did result in the release of 314 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war. This prisoner exchange was the eighteenth UAE-brokered swap since the Russia-Ukraine War began in February 2022 and increased the total number of captives released by Emirati diplomacy to 4,955.Some other countries have also spearheaded diplomatic tracks to end the Ukraine war; the UAE has emerged as the conflict’s mediator-in-chief. The UAE’s arbitration successes in Ukraine build on years of mediation successes elsewhere around the globe and reflect its ability to maintain constructive diplomatic relations with both warring parties.In tandem with its emergence as a middle power on the world stage, the UAE has played a major role in de-escalating inter-state conflicts and alleviating humanitarian crises. Emirati shuttle diplomacy <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/world/in-peace-between-ethiopia-and-eritrea-uae-lends-a-helping-hand-idUSKBN1KT1RS/#:~:text=His%20story%20was%20confirmed%20by,them%20up%20a%20palace%20staircase." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">played</a> an instrumental role in brokering the July 2018 Ethiopia-Eritrea peace agreement. In July 2025, Emirati diplomacy with Egypt and Israel <a href="https://www.wam.ae/en/article/15p495l-uae-leads-intensive-diplomatic-efforts-lift-gaza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">resulted</a> in an agreement to provide urgent food assistance to 15,000 residents of the war-battered Gaza Strip. Through its membership in the Quad format, the UAE has <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/sudan-foreign-secretarys-statement-5-february-2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">coordinated</a> with regional countries on ending Sudan’s ongoing intra-military civil war.To achieve arbitration breakthroughs, the UAE positions itself as an impartial broker that considers the demands of each warring party and serves as a bridge-builder between them. The UAE complements these mediation efforts by engaging with great powers, promoting peace initiatives in multilateral institutions, pledging strategic reconstruction investments and providing humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need. The UAE’s peacebuilding role in Ukraine synthesizes all of these diplomatic and economic instruments.In stark contrast to the polarized reactions of many international stakeholders, the UAE maintains constructive partnerships with both Russia and Ukraine. Although the UAE has consistently <a href="https://uaeun.org/press_release/uae-votes-in-favor-of-un-general-assembly-resolution-on-ukraine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">supported</a> Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the UN General Assembly, it has resisted Western pressure to economically isolate Russia. This aligns with the UAE’s "positive neutrality" approach and multi-vector foreign policy vision. In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin <a href="https://www.agbi.com/opinion/trade/2026/02/russia-adds-uae-trips-to-inflation-tally-as-bilateral-ties-grow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">described</a> the UAE as "our reliable partner in the Arab world." UAE-Russia bilateral trade has quadrupled since 2020 to $12 billion, and Dubai’s free zones have attracted investment from some of Russia’s most innovative start-ups.The UAE’s bilateral relationship with Ukraine has concomitantly strengthened. In his August 2025 Ukrainian Independence Day message, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Emirati mediation has "saved many lives" and expressed optimism about the UAE-Ukraine bilateral partnership. Zelensky’s positive language reflects major policy breakthroughs like the February 2025 UAE-Ukraine CEPA free trade agreement.These dynamics ensure that Russian and Ukrainian officials trust the UAE to serve as an honest broker in conflict resolution efforts. The continued strengthening of U.S.-UAE economic and security cooperation augments its diplomatic profile. Aside from welcoming President Donald Trump’s confidantes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for the latest round of negotiations, Abu Dhabi<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/24/driscoll-meets-russians-abu-dhabi-ukraine-00667374" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> hosted</a> Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll’s November 2025 negotiations with Russia on modifying the U.S. 28-point peace plan into a 19-point one.The UAE has complemented these multiple diplomatic tracks with valuable humanitarian assistance. During the first two years of the war, the UAE <a href="https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2024/2/13/13-2-2024-uae-ukrain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">granted</a> Ukraine over $100 million in humanitarian aid. This relief has positively impacted the lives of 1.2 million Ukrainians including one million women and children. Emirati state bodies and charities <a href="https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bm5gc3o-reem-hashimy-leads-uae-delegation-official-visit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">have provided</a> ambulances and generators to Ukraine’s war-torn regions, and donated relief supplies to displaced children in foster family homes. The UAE has also donated essential goods to Ukrainian refugees residing in Poland, Moldova and Bulgaria.Ukrainian officials have acknowledged the UAE’s vital humanitarian assistance. In October 2025, Zelensky <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/zelenskyy-honors-uae-official-for-helping-return-ukrainian-prisoners-aiding-civilians/3714672" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">awarded</a> UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al-Hashimy with one of Ukraine’s most prestigious civilian honours: the Order of Princess Olga, first class. This honorific was explicitly linked to the UAE’s prisoner exchange mediation efforts and support for Ukrainian children and families.The UAE is also positioning itself to play an important role in Ukraine’s reconstruction. At the July 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, the UAE <a href="https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2025/7/11/11-7-2025-uae-ukraine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">signed</a> reconstruction-related agreements with the Olena Zelenska Foundation and a trilateral declaration with Italy on supporting women-led small businesses in Ukraine. The author’s engagements with Ukrainian officials and business leaders revealed the potential for Emirati investments in Ukraine’s renewable energy development. Mubadala Investment Company’s February 2021 renewable energy strategic alliance with DTEK <a href="https://masdar.ae/en/news/newsroom/mubadala-signs-cooperation-mous-with-ukrainian-companies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">serves</a> as a benchmark pact for future Emirati involvement in the sector.&nbsp;Although the Ukraine War remains some way from a durable resolution, the UAE’s mediation efforts have played a critical role in shaping the pathway to peace. Through hosting final settlement negotiations, providing vital humanitarian assistance and helping Global South countries buttress the war’s global contribution to food insecurity, the UAE’s Ukraine policy underscores its standing as a constructive middle power in the international system.

How the UAE Leads Mediation Efforts between Russia, Ukraine