But the United States has had growing concerns that the UAE was allowing Russia and Russians to thwart sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, according to AP.
Leaked documents also reveal possible weak links in Ukraine’s military campaign against Russian forces, warning that Kyiv could run out of crucial air defense missiles by May.
One of the two documents, dated Feb. 28, stated that in the event of Ukraine’s failure to strengthen its air defense munitions supplies in time, Russia could potentially achieve air superiority and commence flying military aircraft over the territories held by Ukrainian forces.
According to AP, the leaked document includes an item citing research from March 9 with the title: “Russia/UAE: Intelligence Relationship Deepening.” US officials declined to confirm the document’s authenticity. However, it resembled other documents released as part of the recent leak.
Referring to the main successor agency of the Soviet-era KGB, the document seen by the AP says: “In mid-January, FSB officials claimed UAE security service officials and Russia had agreed to work together against US and UK Intelligence agencies, according to newly acquired signals intelligence.” Signals intelligence refers to intercepted communications, whether telephone calls or electronic messages.
“The UAE probably views engagement with Russian intelligence as an opportunity to strengthen growing ties between Abu Dhabi and Moscow and diversify intelligence partnerships amid concerns of US disengagement from the region,” the assessment concluded, referring to the UAE capital, as per AP.
