DUBAI, 18 March 2022, (TON): UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said in Moscow “the United Arab Emirates is keen to cooperate with Russia on improving global energy security.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn a raft of Western sanctions and disrupted global energy markets, putting a spotlight on Gulf energy exporters, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as consumers look for supplies to replace Russian oil.

OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and the UAE have so far resisted US pleas to use their spare production capacity to help contain oil prices, saying “they are committed to an output pact under the OPEC+ alliance, which includes Russia.”

The Emirati minister told a televised joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov “it is important to maintain the stability of energy and food markets.”

Sheikh Abdullah said “we welcome all mediation efforts in the Ukraine crisis, the UAE is ready to engage with the parties to strengthen opportunities for a peaceful resolution.”

The UAE has tried to walk a line between the West and Russia, with which it has also deepened ties. It abstained in a recent UN Security Council vote, vetoed by Moscow, condemning the invasion.