Abu Dhabi : Russia has offered weapons for sale at a biennial arms fair in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite sanctions imposed by Western countries over the Ukraine war. These weapons range from Kalashnikov assault rifles to missile systems. Weapons put up for sale at an international defense exhibition and conference in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi on Monday underscored how the Gulf Arab federation has not alienated Moscow while balancing its ties with the West. Is.This Friday will mark one year since the Russia-Ukraine war began. Arms fairs commonly see Emiratis hosting individuals who could be seen as ‘problem’ in Western countries. Former Sudanese strongman leader Omar al-Bashir visited the fair in 2017. Ramzan Kadyrov, a Chechen regional leader deeply involved in the Ukraine war, attended in 2019 and 2021.
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Banned people from the west came to the fair
Associated Press reporters saw Russia’s Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov leaving the fair. Both America and Britain have banned Manturov. Russia, however, views the Ukraine war as a production and demonstration of its weapons. Any military action generates interest in those products, those weapons, which are in demand in that action, Manturov said, according to the news agency ‘TASS’.
Appeal to avoid buying Russian arms
Of course, now the interest in short, medium and long-range air defense systems is high, Manturov said. Asked about Russia’s participation in the arms fair, the US State Department told The AP that potential buyers should stand in solidarity with Ukraine and refrain from purchasing Russian arms and equipment.