West urging UAE to suspend commerce with Russia—FT

(RT) ⸻ Western countries are seeking to compel the United Arab Emirates to stop exporting critical goods to Russia, particularly electronics, as they believe these exports can be used for military purposes in Russia's operation in Ukraine. Officials are concerned that the UAE is being used as a "re-exporting" hub through which certain goods are sold in order to evade Western sanctions on Moscow. The UAE is home to one of the world's biggest transshipment hubs, the Jebel Ali port in Dubai, and is Russia's largest Gulf trading partner, accounting for 55% of total trade between Moscow and the Gulf countries. UAE exports of electronic parts to Russia grew more than sevenfold in 2022, amounting to nearly $283 million and making them the largest export item to the country, according to Russian customs data analyzed by the Free Russia Foundation. UAE exports of microchips to Russia also surged 15-fold. The UAE has been gaining popularity as a financial haven for wealthy Russians, and is in talks with Moscow over a free-trade agreement. However, officials have warned that the Gulf country could face sanctions if it fails to stop illicit re-exports to Russia.The UAE has been largely neutral in the Ukraine conflict, but has kept close ties with its Western partners.