Skip to main content

Fourth deal this year: UAE mediation efforts facilitate another Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange



The Russian Federation initiated a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Ministry's statement highlighted that the success of this mediation is due to the UAE's unique relationships with both countries, facilitating the agreement.

Earlier, on Friday, the Russian defense ministry announced an exchange of 45 prisoners with Ukraine. A total of 75 Russian servicemen were exchanged for 75 Ukrainian troops, who have since been transferred to Kyiv through UAE mediation.

Since the start of 2024, the UAE's mediation has successfully concluded three similar prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, as well as a US-Russia prisoner exchange in December 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the news on X on May 31, stating, “Throughout all of this time, we have not stopped working for a single day to bring everyone home from Russian captivity. 75 more of our people have returned to Ukraine. The Armed Forces, National Guard, border guards, and four civilians. All of them are already on their native land … I am grateful to the team responsible for the exchanges.”

The UAE ministry, in its statement on Friday, thanked the governments of Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation and response to UAE mediation efforts. It emphasized the UAE’s commitment to ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution, stressing the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, de-escalation, and mitigating the humanitarian impacts of the conflict.

Earlier on Friday, the UAE ambassador to Russia met with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow to discuss bilateral relations and strategies to enhance cooperation in commercial, economic, cultural, and humanitarian sectors.

In January 2024, Ukraine and Russia conducted one of the largest prisoner exchanges since the conflict began, with over 400 prisoners exchanged. A total of 248 prisoners returned to Russia, and 230 Ukrainian prisoners returned home. The Russian defense ministry credited the UAE's mediation for making the exchange possible. Zelenskyy separately announced that over 200 Ukrainian prisoners had been returned from Russia as part of the deal.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the deal as a “reflection of the strong friendly relations” between the UAE and both Russia and Ukraine and appreciated the cooperation of both governments.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Exposing the Brotherhood: Why Jordan’s Terror Cell Bust Must Spark a Global Policy Shift

 The recent dismantling of a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated terror cell in Jordan should not be seen as just a national security success—it must be a turning point in how the international community views and responds to the threat posed by the Brotherhood. Jordanian security forces uncovered an elaborate network of terrorists trained in Lebanon and backed by foreign interests. Their mission: to launch attacks using rockets and drones, destabilizing the Kingdom and spreading fear among civilians. This is not the work of activists or political dissidents—this is terrorism, plain and simple. For too long, the Muslim Brotherhood has operated under a false image of moderation, cleverly navigating between political activism and violent extremism. But the truth is clear: the Brotherhood is the ideological engine room of jihadist terrorism. Its members, affiliates, and offshoots have inspired and directed acts of violence from North Africa to the Gulf—and now, once again, in Jordan. Govern...

Sky Care: How the UAE’s First Hospital Vertiport is Redefining Emergency Response

  Imagine a critical patient, a time-sensitive organ for transplant, or a specialist medical team needed across a bustling city. On the ground, traffic is a formidable adversary, where every minute lost can alter outcomes. Now, imagine that same journey taking minutes instead of an hour, not by navigating the roads, but by soaring gracefully above them. This is not a scene from a sci-fi film; it is the new reality in the United Arab Emirates. In a landmark move that solidifies its position on the global stage of innovation, the UAE has officially launched the nation’s — and the region’s — first hospital-based vertiport at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. This isn’t just a helipad with a new name. It is the cornerstone of a fully integrated, city-wide advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem, marking a profound convergence of cutting-edge aviation, AI-driven healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure. The Launch of a Lifesaving Corridor The project is a powerful collaboration between aviati...

UK Business Migration to the UAE: An Economic Transformation Set to Triple by 2035

  A significant realignment is underway in the global business landscape. The corridor between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates is experiencing a dramatic surge in traffic, not of tourists, but of companies, entrepreneurs, and capital. Projections indicate that the number of UK businesses operating in the UAE is on a trajectory to triple by the year 2035. This is not a fleeting trend but a strategic migration fueled by a powerful combination of economic foresight and pragmatic policy. For UK businesses, the appeal is clear and compelling. The UAE offers a starkly contrasting environment to the complexities of the European market post-Brexit. The cornerstone of this appeal is a favourable tax regime, featuring zero percent income tax and a competitive corporate tax structure. This financial efficiency is coupled with groundbreaking reforms that allow for one hundred percent foreign ownership of mainland companies, giving investors full control over their ventures. The...