Is Telegram CEO’s Detention Impacting UAE-France Relations? 

UAE Holds Back $10B Jet Order With France

In response to the detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the UAE has taken a critical decision to hold a contract to purchase fighter jets from France. The UAE foreign ministry has also requested the French government to provide consular services to Durov immediately, assisting with his release from police custody after a surprise arrest on Saturday.

According to reports on August 28th, the UAE has taken further steps to make sure that Durov is being provided with consular and other assistance, supporting his release from unconventional arrest.

UAE’s Relations With France Getting Strained?

According to reports on August 28, the United Arab Emirates has taken further steps to ensure consular and other assistance are provided to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, supporting his release from unconventional arrest. This was likely due to the potential lack of support from the French government regarding the recent request made by the UAE government.

What marks an unexpected turn in the relations between the two countries is that the UAE has now put its order of 80 jets with France on hold. Serious questions are being raised over bilateral relations between the two countries in the future as the media has also claimed a temporary halt to military cooperation between the UAE and France.

The UAE Ministry has also raised a request to the French government to provide Durov with all the necessary consular services, that will help him get help in the matter immediately, enabling early release from the custody.

France Faces International Pressure

France is now under international pressure to release Pavel Durov. Tech industry executives, celebrities, and political figures are putting pressure on France while questions are being raised about control of free speech and authoritarianism.

Russian government officials have expressed outrage at Durov’s detention, with some calling it politically motivated and proof of the West’s double standard on freedom of speech. Russian Foreign Minister also stated that the relationship between Russia and France is at its ‘lowest’ level following Durov’s arrest.

France President Says Its ‘A Judicial Investigation’

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has stated that “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and the spirit of entrepreneurship.” However, he added, “In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights.”

He also stated that the arrest of Durov on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation and is in no way a political decision.

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