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Small-State Niche Diplomacy at Work: The Mediation of the UAE and Qatar in the Russia-Ukraine War

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have emerged as effective mediators in the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on issue-specific negotiations, particularly prisoner of war (POW) exchanges and family reunifications. Against the backdrop of an intractable conflict with limited traditional mediation options, both Gulf countries have leveraged their strong diplomatic ties with Moscow and Kyiv to establish themselves as credible intermediaries. These efforts are analysed through the concept of niche diplomacy, examining how small states can amplify their global influence by focusing their foreign policy resources on specialised areas. Using a comparative framework, three key variables – timing and implementation of mediation, mediator style and underlying interests – are used to assess the distinct approaches of the UAE and Qatar. The findings demonstrate that Abu Dhabi and Doha have used mediation not only to address humanitarian concerns but also to reinforce domestic legitimacy, elevate their international standing and promote more pragmatic geopolitical interests.
Keywords: United Arab Emirates; Qatar; international mediation; Russia-Ukraine war; niche diplomacy