Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a destination for Russian oligarchs amid a series of sanctions imposed because of Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine.
Stretching out into the Persian Gulf from the beaches and skyscrapers of Dubai is a man-made archipelago in the shape of a palm tree. On it are luxury hotels, apartments and villas.
According to the New York Times, among those who own these properties, there are people from the Russian oligarchs and elites. The US newspaper said that at least 38 businessmen or figures considered to be connected to the Kremlin own apartments with a total value of about 314 million USD. Six of them are on the list of US and European Union (EU) sanctions. A tycoon facing sanctions brought his yacht to Dubai. The New York Times said they could be considered "lucky".
Since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, the West has imposed a series of sanctions on entities and individuals believed to have ties to the Kremlin. Even countries known for their secret banking systems such as Switzerland, Monaco, and the Cayman Islands have begun freezing the assets of Russian tycoons, as well as confiscating their mansions and yachts.
But Dubai is an exception. Although the UAE is a close partner of the US in security matters in the Middle East, this rich land has for many years also welcomed the arrival of Russian oligarchs.
The UAE in particular and some US allies in the Middle East in general are taking a cautious approach to Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Although the US has increased pressure for these countries to punish Russia, they have expressed a preference for relations with Moscow - one of their important partners.
In Dubai, Russians said they were quite satisfied with the hospitality of the people here. An anonymous Russian businessman said that this place still accepts Russian passports and money as usual, in contrast to many places in the world. "Russians in Dubai have no problem at all," the businessman said.
An Arab businessman renting out luxury furnished apartments in Dubai has described the "incredible demand" from Russians since the start of Moscow's military campaign, with a family renting to term 3-bedroom apartment for $15,000/month and more than 50 other individuals or families looking for accommodation.
Policy of neutrality
The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (USA), says it estimates people connected to Putin currently own at least 76 properties in Dubai. Meanwhile, maritime data shows that, in recent days, the yacht of the punished tycoon Andrei Skoch has docked in Dubai.
The Bombardier plane of Russian billionaire Arkady Rotenberg - who is also on the Western sanctions list, also arrived in Dubai over the weekend. Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, yachts of at least three Russian tycoons are parked in Dubai.
Observers said that Russia in recent years has quietly built close relations with the UAE as well as Arab countries that tend to be pro-Western. This is considered the reason that many Middle Eastern countries are still keeping a neutral attitude to the Russia-Western tension.
Saudi Arabia has rejected an offer from the administration of US President Joe Biden to take measures to lower oil prices, which have skyrocketed due to the Ukraine crisis. Riyadh remains true to the agreement on output that it has committed with Russia in the OPEC + organization, which regulates supply in the world oil market.
The UAE also rejected a proposal to increase oil production from the US, while Egypt made no criticism of Russia's military campaign, and "nods" to Moscow to borrow $ 25 billion to finance a project. nuclear power plant.
"The US has expectations that Saudi Arabia will join the sanctions against Russia immediately. But Riyadh cannot destroy relations with Russia just to please the White House," said Ali Shihabi, a political analyst. of Saudi Arabia commented.
"If we are not breaking international law, then no one should blame the UAE or any other country for trying to attract anyone legally," said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a UAE political analyst. , said.
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