ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT 2023

Participants

1. Algeria
2. Bahrain
3. Comoros
4. Djibouti
5. Egypt
6. Iraq
7. Jordan
8. Kuwait
9. Lebanon
10. Libya
11. Mauritania
12. Morocco
13. Oman
14. Palestine
15. Qatar
16. Saudi Arabia
17. Somalia
18. Syria
19. Tunisia
20. United Arab Emirates
21. Yemen
22. Ukraine (invited by Saudi Arabia)

Note

Some Arab countries are, individually and collectively, racing to mediate between Russia and Ukraine for numerous motives. The quest of Arab decision-makers to play a mediating role is linked to the economic consequences of the Ukrainian crisis and domestic political considerations. Some Arab countries fear that the pressures resulting from the Ukrainian crisis could lead to a new wave of the Arab Spring.

The Arab League’s Contact Group on the Ukrainian Crisis includes includes Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Algeria and Sudan. The Arab League formed the group in March 2022 at its 157th session in Cairo. Its purpose is to hold consultations with the parties involved in the Ukrainian crisis to find a diplomatic solution. The Arab move came just two weeks after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine.

The Need for Mediation

The Arabs are among the few who still enjoy good diplomatic relations with all parties to the conflict. Since the Arabs have no historical issues with Russia or Ukraine, they can urge the parties to move forward and display more flexibility.

UAE Position

The UAE's Foreign Ministry has announced Abu Dhabi’s readiness “to support efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine.” The ministry called for “diplomacy, dialogue and respect for the rules and principles of international law.” Hence, Emirati diplomacy has laid out three principles for this endeavor: decreasing military escalation, reducing humanitarian impacts and reaching a political settlement to achieve global peace and security. To ensure that it is moving forward with this strategy, the UAE announced $100 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian civilians affected by the crisis. Bin Zayed pledged to his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky that the UAE would do everything in its power to prevent the crisis from worsening. Bin Zayed has also emphazised the goal of creating an amicable atmosphere for negotiations to serve all parties. Bin Zayed stated that Zelensky was open to the UAE’s efforts as a mediator in humanitarian issues and food security. The UAE’s president affirmed his country’s readiness to continue efforts and support initiatives that would mitigate the humanitarian and economic repercussions of the crisis.

Saudi Role

Saudi Arabia may be the first country to initiate formal mediation between Russia and Ukraine. The initiative was set forth during a phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2022. During the call, Bin Salman stressed his country’s readiness to make “efforts to mediate between all parties.” Saudi Arabia has pledged $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Bin Salman reiterated by phone to Zelensky his readiness to continue mediation efforts and support de-escalation.