Emirati Mediation: A New Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and Ukraine

25th August 2024

1 minute read

Emirati Mediation: A New Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and Ukraine

As a culmination of ongoing political, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, the United Arab Emirates succeeded on Saturday in brokering a new prisoner exchange deal between Moscow and Kyiv.

This successful Emirati mediation is the seventh this year and the eighth since the crisis began in February 2022.

An Emirati official confirmed to Reuters on Sunday that “Russia and Ukraine will exchange 115 prisoners today following Emirati mediation.”

On July 17, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had recovered 95 soldiers from Ukraine following a prisoner exchange facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.

In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said: “As a result of negotiations, 95 Russian soldiers, who were in life-threatening captivity, were repatriated from territories controlled by the Kyiv regime.”

The statement added that “in return, 95 prisoners of war were handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”

The document also mentioned that the released soldiers would be transported to Moscow aboard Russian military planes to receive treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense. All the released prisoners are currently receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance.

According to the statement, the United Arab Emirates provided “humanitarian mediation” to ensure the return of the captured Russian soldiers.