UAE and US' Blinken discuss invasion of Ukraine and strengthening two-way ties

The foreign minister of the UAE developments in Ukraine and ways to strengthen two-way ties during a telephone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, the state news agency said.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Blinken discussed the importance of reaching a political settlement to the Ukrainian crisis, it added.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, attacking several major towns and cities. More than 1.5 million people have fled across Ukraine's borders in over a week of attacks from air, land and sea, according to the UN.

The UAE has faced criticism after last month it abstained from a UN Security Council draft resolution condemning Russia's invasion. It then joined a vote to deplore the attack in the UN General Assembly.

The wealthy Gulf state hosts US troops and has been a strategic partner to Washington for decades, but its economic and political ties with Russia are growing.

It also shares many of Russia's strategic interests in the region, such as by supporting dictators or militia leaders in Syria and Libya.