Ukraine has received significant support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding security in the Black Sea. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address on August 1, immediately following a phone conversation with the Emirati leader, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The strategic partnership between the two countries is reaching a new level, evolving into a model of mutually beneficial exchange of experience in protecting against missile threats.
Mutually Beneficial Exchange of Experience
A key point of the negotiations was the topic of "feedback" in security matters. Zelenskyy emphasized that in the spring of 2024, Ukraine had already provided substantial assistance to Gulf countries, specifically the UAE, in countering threats from Iran. Kyiv shared its unique experience in fighting "Shahed" kamikaze drones by sending its instructors to the region.
Furthermore, Ukrainian specialists transferred expertise on protecting critical infrastructure and civilian objects to their partners. Now, according to the President, the Emirates are ready to reciprocate and help Ukraine in Europe, focusing efforts on the Black Sea region. This refers to supporting food security and ensuring the safety of sea routes.
Humanitarian Aspect and Prisoner Exchange
In addition to military-technical cooperation, a humanitarian issue was also raised during the conversation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the leader of the UAE for his active participation in prisoner exchange operations between Ukraine and Russia. The Emirates show particular attention to the fate of people who have fallen into captivity, which allows for complex negotiations and the release of citizens.
Escalation in the Black Sea
The announced aid from the UAE becomes critically important against the backdrop of the escalating situation in the Black Sea. Earlier, the President, citing intelligence data, reported Russia's intention to continue attacking port infrastructure and merchant ships. Recently, the Russian Federation has regularly shelled ships, resulting in damage and human casualties.
One of the recent incidents was an attack on a civilian vessel flying the flag of Liberia, which had already been targeted twice by occupiers. Due to constant threats, Ukrainian maritime exports have effectively come to a halt, creating a global threat to food security.
Reaction of the International Community
The scale of the problem has attracted the attention of the world community. On July 27, the UN Security Council held an emergency session dedicated to the new wave of Russian attacks on Black Sea ports and merchant ships. Participants noted serious risks to the global economy and food security.
The Head of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Kayoko Goto, called for active diplomatic efforts to stop the shelling of ships in the Black Sea. In this context, support from the UAE appears as an important step towards stabilizing the situation and protecting maritime communications.
