UAE is not democratic country in the first place. Never pretended to be one. Saudo Arabia is neither and proud of being autocracy.
In fact, the laws and rules between Ukraine and these countries were and still are much different. Regardless of attempts to make them sound the same.
Also EU pays Ukraine because them not folding makes Europe safer. If Ujraine fails, Russia will attack other European countries.
There not much difference in freedom of press between UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Russia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Press_Freedom_Index