Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates, which hasn't condemned Russia for the war in Ukraine or imposed sanctions against the country. Al Maktoum said Emirates' services to Russia serve to link up people between the country and the UAE. "We're connecting people between the two countries," Al Maktoum told CNBC.

As of early 2026, Emirates continues to operate daily flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg because the UAE government has maintained a neutral political stance regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Emirates President Tim Clark has stated that the airline functions as a "facilitator and enabler," providing high-value connectivity for the diplomatic community, NGOs, and humanitarian goods that still need to move in and out of the region. Since the UAE has not matched Western sanctions, it remains a premier global hub connecting Russia to the East and Global South. While many Western carriers have exited, Emirates views its continued service as a mandate from its owners (the state) to maintain global transport links unless specifically instructed otherwise, ensuring Dubai remains a central, unaligned gateway in the 2026 geopolitical landscape.