US, UAE foreign ministers discuss joint efforts for humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan
November 21, 2025 (WASHINGTON) – The foreign ministers of the United States and the United Arab Emirates spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the situation in Sudan, marking the second such conversation this week.
The Sudan conflict has been a top concern for US President Donald Trump during discussions he held with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the most decisive intervention by Washington since the war in the East African nation broke out in April 2023.
Pressure has mounted on Abu Dhabi, which is accused of arming and supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On Thursday, Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen called for legislation to suspend US arms sales to the UAE.
The US State Department said in a statement Friday that Secretary [of State] Rubio and his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continued their discussions on joint efforts to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan. They also reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that Al Nahyan and Rubio discussed current regional developments, in addition to strategic relations.
The ministry clarified that the ministers addressed what it described as the tragic developments in Sudan’s civil war and the importance of reaching an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. They also stressed the need to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians without obstacles.
It quoted the Emirati minister as welcoming statements by President Trump calling for a halt to the “horrific attacks” against civilians during the two-year-old war, and praising his leadership in efforts aimed at achieving stability in Sudan.
President Trump said on Wednesday that the conflict in Sudan was “insane and out of control,” and announced his intention to intervene immediately to end the crisis at the request of the Saudi Crown Prince.
Trump added: “The Saudi Crown Prince asked me to intervene to resolve the crisis in Sudan and I will do that. Thirty minutes after Mohammed bin Salman asked, I actually started working to solve the Sudan crisis,” noting that he had ended eight wars and only one remained, which he thought would be the easiest due to his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.