[3] The UAE was alone in the Gulf Cooperation Council in endorsing the 2015 Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, describing it as against a "common enemy" of the two nations.

[5] Along with Saudi Arabia and Israel, the UAE encouraged the United States to remove sanctions on Russia pertaining to its activity in Ukraine in exchange for Russian assistance in ending the Iranian military presence in Syria.

It also concluded that the UAE viewed it as an “opportunity” to diversify its partnerships, while the US was gradually parting ways from the Emirates.

[21][22] On 1 May 2024, the US sanctioned almost 300 firms and individuals, including the China and the UAE, over accusations that they were supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The company, supposedly an auto parts exporter, was involved in supply of over 6,800 shipments to Russian consumers.

[23] Meanwhile, the US, UK and the EU were also putting pressure on the UAE to share their record of crack down on firms evading sanctions imposed on Russia.

He also said that the attempt to stop the flow of business redirected it to other sides, and that the sanctions were making trade more complex and impacting the entire world.