UAE's Diplomatic Neutrality and Mediation Roles Are Vital for Global Stability, Says Ambassador to Germany

The UAE's emphasis on resolving conflict through diplomacy means the nation is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage, said the country’s Ambassador to Germany. Ahmed Alattar was speaking to The National in Berlin before President Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Germany, which begins on Wednesday.

The UAE leader will meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz to explore efforts to deepen co-operation, with a focus on economic and development sectors. The visit is a rare opportunity to take relations between the two countries to a new level, said the ambassador. He highlighted the UAE's role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as an example of the important diplomatic work being carried out by the Emirates.

Almost 8,000 prisoners have been exchanged by Russia and Ukraine as a result of mediation by the UAE. Since the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, the UAE has carried out 26 mediations between the two sides. “It is the neutral third place, and that is a very important place to have. In this day and age, it is more important than ever to have stable, reliable partners to deal with the challenges of tomorrow,” Mr Alattar said.

“The prisoner exchanges organised by the UAE for Russian and Ukrainian prisoners are very important,” he stated, adding that the humanitarian support provided to Ukraine in several different fields is also vital. The UAE’s relationship with both countries allowed it to provide a place where communication could continue despite the breakdown in relations between Russia, Ukraine, and Nato. Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US were held in Abu Dhabi in February as part of ongoing efforts to end the conflict.

“We continue to play an important role as a nodal point of communication and as a country where people from all sides can visit and still have some degree of communication between them,” said Mr Alattar. He noted that the UAE’s approach to international conflicts remained grounded in non-interference and self-defence, emphasizing that the nation does not want to be seen as a party to any conflict.

At the same time, the UAE’s growing defence industry means it is becoming an exporter rather than simply an importer of security. “The UAE has one of the largest arms-export capabilities in the world, increasingly with a footprint in Europe and a global presence,” he said. That role includes the export of defence equipment as well as involvement in international stabilisation efforts.

Regarding how the UAE continues to deal with opposing powers without taking sides, Mr Alattar reiterated that the country acts according to its own interests. “We take the UAE’s side,” he said. “That means playing as large a role as possible, to the maximum of our capabilities.”

The ambassador also asserted that Germany had much to gain from closer relations with the UAE, rejecting suggestions that the partnership has historically benefited only the Emirates. Beyond traditional energy supplies of oil and gas, the UAE serves as a source of investment capital, a global logistics and aviation centre, and an important base for German manufacturing. Highlighting the strength of the partnership, Mr Alattar recalled Germany's swift solidarity and condemnation when the UAE came under attack from Iran.