U.S. ties with the United Arab Emirates are being tested, a senior Emirati diplomat said on Thursday, in a rare admission of strains in their strategic partnership which have been highlighted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The wealthy Gulf Arab oil exporter has signalled unease in recent years over what it sees as Washington's declining commitment to the security of U.S. partners in the region, while Abu Dhabi has deepened ties with Moscow and Beijing.
Differences over the war in Yemen, Washington's Iran policy and U.S. conditions on arms sales have added to those concerns and culminated in the UAE not backing a U.S.-drafted resolution to condemn Russian's invasion of Ukraine - an abstention which showed Washington cannot take UAE support for granted.
