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A new mediation for the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine crowns ongoing Emirati efforts to resolve this crisis and alleviate its humanitarian consequences.

This mediation is the second within a month, the ninth this year, and the tenth since the start of the war in February 2022.

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Thanks to this mediation, a new prisoner exchange has been carried out, involving 190 prisoners, equally divided between the two parties, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged between the two countries during 9 mediations this year to 2184, a figure representing an unprecedented diplomatic and humanitarian achievement in a crisis that is witnessing continuous escalation between its parties.

Emirati-Russian Summit

The success of this mediation comes three days before the scheduled visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to Russia on Monday, where he will participate in the BRICS summit and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Emirati mediation efforts in this crisis are expected to be on the agenda of discussions between the two leaders.

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• Emirati Mediation Between Russia and Ukraine Succeeds in Exchanging 180 Prisoners

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had previously reaffirmed the UAE’s constant approach in favor of peace and stability on regional and international fronts, as well as for political solutions to conflicts, including the Ukrainian crisis, through de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.

He also expressed the UAE’s willingness to take any role to resolve the Ukrainian crisis and mitigate its humanitarian consequences, emphasizing that “the UAE will always be present” to ease the situation and support stability in this crisis.

The Russian president has also repeatedly expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the success of his country’s mediation efforts regarding the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the UAE and its leadership for the success of the mediation efforts they are deploying.

International Praise

The success of this mediation comes as international praise for the UAE’s role in the Russo-Ukrainian crisis continues to grow.

Just two days ago, during the European-Gulf summit held in Brussels on Wednesday, praise was directed at the UAE for its role in this crisis.

• The world welcomes the UAE’s mediation… Success in prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine 

• The world welcomes the UAE’s mediation… Successful prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine 

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, praised the UAE’s role and its efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

In his opening speech at the European-Gulf summit, Al-Budaiwi stated that the GCC states have made numerous efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, for a ceasefire and a political resolution to the conflict through negotiations, as well as their efforts for the exchange of prisoners between the two parties, commending the efforts of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar in this regard.

Support for Peace

The UAE supports seeking a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis, a vision reaffirmed by Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Emirati Minister of State, during his address on behalf of the UAE at the United Nations General Assembly during its 79th session at the end of last September.

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In this regard, he stated: “In Ukraine, where the effects of war exceed seas and continents, it is imperative to find a peaceful solution that ends this conflict, as well as the international escalation, refugee and prisoner crises, and the repercussions on global food security.”

He added: “Through our ongoing communication with all parties, my country has contributed to the release of approximately 2000 prisoners of war through mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine.”

He added: “We continue to promote dialogue, reduce tensions, and support recovery and reconstruction.”

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Messages and Implications

This vision was reaffirmed by the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement issued on Friday evening, regarding the details of the new mediation.

The UAE announced, on Friday evening, the success of its mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine in achieving a new prisoner exchange, involving 190 prisoners shared equally between the two parties, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged between the two countries during these mediations to 2184.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude to both countries for their cooperation and responsiveness to the Emirati mediation efforts to successfully conduct the prisoner exchange process despite the challenges posed by the current war circumstances.

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It specified that this underscores the following:

• The trust enjoyed by the UAE with both Russia and Ukraine.
• The appreciation of Russia and Ukraine for the UAE’s role in supporting the diplomatic process to resolve the crisis between the two countries.
• A reflection of the cooperative and friendly relations that unite the UAE with both countries.

Regarding its vision for resolving the crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to the following:

• Continuing efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
• Affirming its position calling for diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation.
• Supporting all initiatives aimed at mitigating the humanitarian consequences resulting from the crisis, such as those related to refugees and prisoners.

• The Ukraine War drains Russian resources and affects its influence in the Mediterranean

• The military crisis between Ukraine and Russia has escalated 

An Emirati vision that highlights the determination of the UAE to resolve a crisis that has lasted too long, concretized by the success of its mediations in achieving 10 prisoner exchanges between the two countries, 9 of which have occurred this year, as follows:

October 18, 2024 Achievement of an exchange, including 190 prisoners, shared equally between the two parties.

September 14, 2024 Achievement of an exchange, including 206 prisoners, shared equally between the two parties.

August 24, 2024 Russia recovered 115 of its captured soldiers in exchange for Ukraine recovering an equivalent number of prisoners from Russia.

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July 17, 2024 Russia recovered 95 of its captured soldiers in exchange for Ukraine recovering an equivalent number of prisoners.

June 25, 2024 Prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine resulting in an exchange of 180 prisoners of war from both sides.

May 31, 2024 Russia recovered 75 of its captured soldiers in exchange for Ukraine recovering an equivalent number of prisoners from Russia.

February 8, 2024 Russia recovered 100 of its captured soldiers in exchange for Ukraine recovering an equivalent number of prisoners from Russia.

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January 31, 2024 Return of 195 soldiers to Russia in exchange for Ukraine recovering an equivalent number of prisoners from Russia.

January 3, 2024 Mediation led to the return of 248 soldiers to Russia in exchange for Ukraine recovering more than 200 prisoners, representing one of the largest prisoner exchange operations between the two parties since the onset of the crisis in February 2022.

February 4, 2023 Mediation that led to the return of 63 “sensitive category” prisoners of war to Russia in exchange for Ukraine recovering 116 prisoners.

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In addition to these mediations, a successful Emirati mediation in December 2022 facilitated the exchange of two prisoners between the United States and Russia.

Successful Emirati mediations continue between Russia and Ukraine, accompanied by ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, offering hope for a resolution to a crisis that affects global security and stability, while highlighting the UAE’s growing status and international leadership, as well as the world’s trust and appreciation for their leadership and mediation efforts.

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Accumulating successes establish the UAE’s position as a key player and an important partner in the success of peace initiatives at the regional and international levels, relying on their civilizational message and historical heritage rooted in cooperation, humanitarian action, and the promotion of tolerance and brotherhood.