Mon Feb 17 05:32:05 UTC 2025: ## Zelenskyy Visits UAE Amidst Growing Peace Talk Speculation
**Abu Dhabi, UAE –** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, February 16, 2025, fueling speculation about potential peace negotiations to end the ongoing war with Russia. This is Zelenskyy’s first visit to the UAE since the war began. He arrived in Abu Dhabi with his wife, Olena Zelenska, after attending the Munich Security Conference.
The visit comes at a crucial juncture, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia and increasing international efforts to broker a peace deal. The UAE, with its large Russian and Ukrainian expatriate populations and past experience facilitating prisoner exchanges, has been considered a potential venue for negotiations.
While Zelenskyy’s office stated that securing the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war is a top priority, the visit also aims to foster economic partnerships and humanitarian aid. Notably, the UAE’s state-run news agency, WAM, did not initially report on Zelenskyy’s arrival. The timing coincides with the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, where both Ukraine and Russia are exhibiting arms.
Adding to the complex geopolitical landscape, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov, met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier the same day, focusing on strengthening UAE-Russia ties. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a delegation to Saudi Arabia for direct talks with Russian officials, marking a shift from previous U.S. policy of isolating Russia. The influx of Russian money into Dubai’s real estate market and daily flights between the Emirates and Moscow remain significant factors in the ongoing situation. President Zelenskyy’s office emphasized that negotiations with Russia will only proceed once the U.S. and Ukraine agree on a path toward ending the war.
First Piper 