The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully facilitated a new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in the release of 206 prisoners of war, evenly split between the two countries.
This marks the eighth mediation effort by the UAE in 2024, bringing the total number of exchanged captives to 1,994 since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation in this latest exchange, despite the ongoing war.
The success of the mediation underscores the trust both nations have in the UAE’s diplomatic efforts and its commitment to supporting peace and diplomacy.
The Ministry emphasized that this achievement reflects the strong cooperative relationships the UAE shares with both Russia and Ukraine.
The UAE remains committed to continuing its role in finding peaceful solutions to the conflict, advocating for dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation.
The country also supports initiatives aimed at alleviating the humanitarian toll of the war, including efforts to aid refugees and secure the release of prisoners of war.
This recent exchange adds to the UAE’s growing reputation as a trusted mediator on the global stage. Earlier in 2024, the UAE successfully facilitated seven other prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Additionally, in December 2022, it mediated a high-profile exchange between the United States and Russia, which saw the release of two prisoners.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This escalation followed years of tension and sporadic fighting in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists had declared independence. The war has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with thousands of civilians killed, millions displaced, and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
This recent exchange adds to the UAE’s track record of mediation, including seven previous exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and a significant prisoner swap between the United States and Russia in December 2022. The UAE’s role as a mediator reflects its strong diplomatic relationships with Russia and Ukraine, bolstered by regular high-level communications. These efforts have been pivotal in facilitating some of the largest prisoner exchanges since the onset of the conflict.
The UAE Foreign Ministry has reiterated the nation’s dedication to fostering a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. This stance is part of the UAE’s broader humanitarian approach to international conflicts, including support for those affected in the Arab world, notably in Gaza.
Following the outbreak of military operations in Gaza between Israel and Hamas in October, the UAE promptly initiated efforts to cease hostilities and delivered thousands of tons of aid to the Palestinian people.
This included sending 141 aid-laden aircraft to Gaza through El Arish International Airport, a cargo ship with 4,016 tons of humanitarian supplies, 121 trucks with medical and food supplies, and setting up a 160-bed field hospital as part of “Operation Gallant Knight 3,” directed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in early November.
In its continuous endeavor to halt the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the UAE has been active in the Security Council and through various international organizations, advocating for a ceasefire and the provision of urgent medical and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
These consistent peace efforts highlight the UAE’s crucial role in mediating international conflicts and fostering humanitarian support across the globe.
