The United Arab Emirates (UAE), renowned for its efforts in resolving international conflicts and providing humanitarian aid, has recently facilitated a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. This move comes as part of the UAE’s commitment to global peace and marks a major milestone in the ongoing armed conflict between the two nations.
On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine completed an extensive prisoner swap, with Russia recovering 248 soldiers and Ukraine receiving over 200 soldiers and civilians. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this success reflects the strong friendships the UAE has fostered with both countries, supported by regular high-level communications. This exchange is one of the largest since the war’s inception.
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
This intervention in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not the UAE’s first foray into international peacemaking. The nation has consistently advocated for peace and stood by those affected by conflicts or natural disasters, especially in the Arab world, including the Gaza Strip.
During the military operations in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, the UAE quickly acted to cease the war and provided thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. This aid included 141 aircraft filled with emergency supplies, a cargo ship carrying 4,016 tons of humanitarian goods, medical supplies, food, and a 160-bed field hospital, as part of the “Al Faris Al Shujaa 3” operation, launched under the directive of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The UAE has also been active in responding to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Daniel in Libya. Following the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE set up an air bridge to Libya, delivering thousands of tons of relief materials. Additionally, the UAE provided aid to Morocco following an earthquake in September, showcasing its commitment to supporting nations in distress.
These actions underline the UAE’s significant role in global humanitarian efforts, highlighting its active involvement in promoting peace and stability in areas of conflict and natural disaster around the world.
