The story: Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ) has offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Attempting to remain neutral between Moscow, Kyiv, and the latter’s western partners— particularly the United States—the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is joining other Gulf Arab states in offering to facilitate peace talks. 

The coverage: MbZ met Putin in St. Petersburg on Oct. 11 to discuss “rapidly growing bilateral relations” and the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s February invasion. 

• During the visit, Putin acknowledged the UAE’s role in a recent Russian-Ukrainian prisoner exchange, while MbZ “confirmed [the UAE’s] readiness to continue mediation efforts.”
  
  
• Prior to the visit, the state-run Emirates News Network (WAM) reported that the trip falls under “the framework of the UAE contributing to the achievement of global and regional security and stability.”

Some Gulf Arab commentators praised the Emirati effort to mediate, saying it pointed...