UAE calls for de-escalation in Ukraine

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday called for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities amid Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

The UAE is ready "to work with members of the Security Council" to de-escalate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a UN Security Council session on the situation in Ukraine.

"The avenues for dialogue must remain open more urgently than ever before, and we must pursue them together," Nusseibeh added in her speech cited by a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

On Friday, Russia vetoed a UN draft resolution that would have condemned its military actions in Ukraine.

While Russia voted against the draft resolution, 11 votes were in favor and three abstentions, including China, India and the UAE.

Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine entered its third day on Saturday, with latest reports indicating clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops in Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. He claimed that Moscow had no plan to occupy its western neighbor, but wanted to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of trying to install a puppet government, vowing that Ukrainians will defend their country against Russian aggression.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar