UAE Helps Secure Exchange of 300 Russia-Ukraine Captives
The UAE has successfully facilitated the exchange of 300 captives between Russia and Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing mediation efforts. This brings the total number of captives exchanged through the UAE’s mediation to 2,883.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) praised both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation, noting that their collaboration was crucial in making this exchange possible. The Ministry highlighted that this latest success is the twelfth mediation of its kind since the start of 2024, underscoring the UAE's dedicated role in peacebuilding.
The MoFA also emphasized that this successful exchange is a reflection of the strong and respectful diplomatic ties between the UAE and both Russia and Ukraine. It reiterated the UAE's ongoing commitment to supporting peaceful solutions to the conflict and mitigating the humanitarian impact of the crisis, particularly for refugees and captives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its role in securing the return of 150 Ukrainians, including soldiers, sergeants, and Navy officers, who had been held in Russian captivity. These individuals were taken prisoner during the conflicts in Mariupol and the Zaporizhzhia region.
Today is a good day for all of us. We are bringing home 150 of our defenders from Russian captivity. These are soldiers, sergeants, and officers – warriors of the Navy who were taken prisoner in Mariupol and the Zaporizhzhia region, warriors of the Air Force, Air Assault Forces,… pic.twitter.com/FScWB1303p
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 5, 2025
The UAE’s continued efforts in mediation highlight the nation’s dedication to fostering peace and humanitarian efforts globally. As the conflict continues, the UAE’s role remains crucial in ensuring that diplomatic avenues remain open and that more lives can be brought home safely.