War Balance

United Arab Emirates vs China: support for Ukraine and trade with Russia since 2022

United Arab Emirates: Leaning toward Russia by 0.71% of a year's GDP since 2022 (likely from 1.9% toward Russia to 0.23% toward Ukraine; likely toward Russia · 97%). China: Toward Russia by 0.75% of a year's GDP since 2022 (likely 0.32% to 1.1% toward Russia; very likely · >99%).

Support for Ukraine in euros: United Arab Emirates €48m, China €0.52bn. More in euros: United Arab Emirates; more as a share of GDP: United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates → China →

These numbers measure money: aid to Ukraine and the change in what Russia keeps from trade, against a world without the war. Weapons count at their money value: aid at market value when delivered, weapons and troops sent to Russia at the seller's gain where Russia paid and in full where it did not. Votes, diplomacy and intent are not in them.

Side by side

#CountryNetSupport for UkraineRussia kept from trade, vs no warPaid Russia since 2022
United Arab Emirates−0.71%−€3.5bn · −€319 per personlikely from 1.9% toward Russia to 0.23% toward Ukrainelikely toward Russia · 97%+€48m<0.01% of GDPessentially zero€3.6bn more0.72% of GDP morelikely toward Russia · 97%€29.2bn5.9% of GDP
China−0.75%−€128bn · −€91 per personlikely 0.32% to 1.1% toward Russiavery likely · >99%−€0.52bn<0.01% of GDPessentially zero€128bn more0.74% of GDP morevery likely · >99%€547bn3.2% of GDP

Each row: the best estimate, then its range and the chance of its direction, as in the country's panel.

What makes up each number

MeasureUnited Arab EmiratesChina
Government aid to Ukraine+€62m+0.01% of GDP+€2m<0.01% of GDP
Purchases from Ukraine vs no war−€15m<0.01% of GDP−€0.57bn<0.01% of GDP
Share of IMF and World Bank lending to Ukraine+€7m<0.01% of GDP+€89m<0.01% of GDP
Extra services sold to Ukraine−€5m<0.01% of GDP–
Aid spent here on energy, relief and rebuilding–−€20m<0.01% of GDP
Other countries' aid to Ukraine spent here–−€20m<0.01% of GDP
Russia's gain on fuel and goods it sold−€2.3bn−0.47% of GDP−€82.5bn−0.48% of GDP
Russian oil bought via other countries−€1.6bn−0.32% of GDP−€0.65bn<0.01% of GDP
Russia's gain from war-time fuel prices+€0.59bn+0.12% of GDP−€15.4bn−0.09% of GDP
Payment agents settling Russia's trade−€0.13bn−0.03% of GDP−€0.18bn<0.01% of GDP
Company taxes paid in Russia−€62m−0.01% of GDP−€3.7bn−0.02% of GDP
Company profits in Russia−€51m−0.01% of GDP−€4bn−0.02% of GDP
Services bought from Russia+€18m<0.01% of GDP−€45m<0.01% of GDP
Shipping and insuring Russian oil−€15m<0.01% of GDP−€0.21bn<0.01% of GDP
Weapons bought from Russia+€12m<0.01% of GDP+€0.18bn<0.01% of GDP
Sellers' gain on sales to Russia+€7m<0.01% of GDP−€2.4bn−0.01% of GDP
Extra price Russia paid because of sanctions–−€18bn−0.10% of GDP
Gold and hidden payments to Russia–−€0.48bn<0.01% of GDP
Stakes in Russian oil and gas projects–−€0.42bn<0.01% of GDP
Weapons and troops sent to Russia–−€39m<0.01% of GDP
Services sold to Russia–+€27m<0.01% of GDP
Rosatom projects and Russian state loans–+€17m<0.01% of GDP

+ toward Ukraine, − toward Russia

Year by year

YearCountrySupport for UkraineTrade: toward Ukraine (+) / toward Russia (−)Net
2022United Arab Emirates+€2m−€125m−€124m
China−€161m−€20.8bn−€21.0bn
2023United Arab Emirates+€15m−€1.2bn−€1.2bn
China−€20m−€29.2bn−€29.2bn
2024United Arab Emirates+€27m−€1.2bn−€1.2bn
China−€59m−€34.7bn−€34.8bn
2025United Arab Emirates+€8m−€674m−€666m
China−€184m−€22.5bn−€22.6bn
2026*United Arab Emirates−€3m−€399m−€402m
China−€97m−€20.7bn−€20.8bn

Each year's amount: + toward Ukraine, − toward Russia. *2026: to August.

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Cite as: War Balance, figures to August 2026, https://warbalance.org/compare/united-arab-emirates-vs-china/