ALBAWABA – President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is meeting with United Arab Emirates Mohammad bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi today, Thursday, and the EU chief intends to press bin Zayed on Russia sanctions evasion, Bloomberg reported.
Unnamed sources told the New York-based news agency that von der Leyen is likely to ramp up demands that the UAE stops providing a gateway for Russia to circumvent EU sanctions.
The UAE is one of several countries that have seen a surge in imports of semi-conductors and advanced electronics from Europe and the US over the past 18 months, according to Bloomberg.
Ukraine’s allies have banned many of them from being sent to Russia on concerns that they may be used for military purposes, and the EU is one of them.
The Emirates has become a key destination for Russian tourists, business people and many of those leaving their country since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. Of course, along came Russian investments, which have soared in Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s property markets.
UAE imports from the EU surged in the past year or so - Shutterstock
Bin Zayed’s UAE has not sanctioned Russia but has repeatedly said it adheres to the agreements with partners such as the US.
Between February 2022 and June 2023, the EU exported $1.8 billion worth of sanctioned goods with battlefield applications to the UAE, according to the Geneva-based Trade Data Monitor. This is a 55% increase from the previous 17-month period for exports of semiconductors, radio navigation devices and other goods that Russia may need to power its missiles, drones and other weapons systems, according to Bloomberg.
Several entities registered in the UAE have already been sanctioned by the EU, accusing them of directly supporting Russia’s war machine, Bloomberg reported.
Earlier in June, the EU adopted a new tool that will allow member states to ban the export of key goods to companies, and eventually countries, seen as helping Russia get around EU sanctions. The tool would likely be implemented if diplomatic efforts fail.
