Gulf States: Politics

Domestic

A new round of international peace talks concerning Ukraine was held in Abu Dhabi. Foreign media reports indicated some progress was made, but no major breakthrough was achieved. The talks were moved to Abu Dhabi from a previous location.

Separately, the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was seen in a video meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Abu Dhabi. This meeting occurred amid recent rumors about the UAE president's health and as the U.S. is reportedly building up its military forces in the Middle East region.

International

Diplomatic activity centered on two major tracks: U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and Ukraine peace negotiations. Officials from Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, focused on Tehran's nuclear program. The talks, mediated by Omani officials, were described by both sides as a 'good start' and are expected to continue. Iran's Foreign Minister traveled to Muscat and later to Doha, Qatar, for meetings. Concurrently, delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States met in Abu Dhabi for talks aimed at ending the war. These closed-door meetings were described as substantive and productive, reportedly making some progress including an agreement on a prisoner swap.

Regional diplomacy was active. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both made separate visits to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing regional issues including Gaza. Saudi Arabia and seven other Muslim countries issued a joint condemnation of Israel's recent actions in the West Bank. The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also spoke with Donald Trump about de-escalating tensions, with a focus on diplomacy with Iran.