The UAE’s Steadfast Approach to Supporting Peace and Stability Worldwide

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The United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen its active role on the international stage through a series of summits and talks held in the early days of the blessed month of Ramadan.

The UAE has not merely been a neutral mediator but a maker of peace opportunities, proving that diplomacy driven by humanity can break through the walls of war.

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Thus, the United Arab Emirates has stood out during the three years of war in Ukraine. Mediations have freed thousands of prisoners, humanitarian aid has reached millions of affected people, and an economic partnership is restoring hope to a devastated economy.

Since the beginning of the crisis on February 24, 2022, the UAE has adopted a position of positive neutrality, allowing it to play a constructive role in the resolution of the crisis. This was crowned by the success of its efforts in brokering 13 mediations for prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.

Among these mediations, 10 took place in 2024, two in the first five weeks of 2025, and one in 2023.

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These mediations resulted in the release of 3,013 prisoners from both sides, a significant number that represents an unprecedented diplomatic and humanitarian achievement in a crisis marked by continuous escalation between the two parties.

On the humanitarian front, the UAE allocated $105 million in aid to Ukraine and delivered more than 1,015 tons of medical, food, and relief supplies.

The UAE also succeeded in using its positive neutrality to support economic cooperation with Ukraine, culminating in the signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two countries a few days ago.

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These diplomatic, political, and humanitarian efforts have been met with international praise, particularly from both parties in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have repeatedly thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his country’s mediations and efforts to resolve the crisis.

Diplomatic Moves

As part of these efforts, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the Ukrainian president during the latter’s visit to the UAE on February 17.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the UAE’s support for peaceful solutions to crises for the benefit of peace and stability in the region and the world, highlighting that development can only be achieved in an environment of stability.

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He also reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting any initiative aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis and continuing to mitigate its humanitarian consequences.

The Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in the prisoner exchange process and the attention the country has given to the humanitarian aspects of the crisis.

The UAE President has also engaged in several discussions on the crisis with his Russian counterpart during reciprocal visits, the most recent being his trip to Moscow four months ago.

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Mediation Milestones

February 5, 2025
An exchange of 300 prisoners equally from both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.

January 15, 2025
An exchange of 50 prisoners equally from both sides.

December 30, 2024
An exchange of 300 prisoners equally from both sides.

October 18, 2024
An exchange of 190 prisoners equally from both sides.

September 14, 2024
An exchange of 206 prisoners equally from both sides.

August 24, 2024
Russia regained 115 of its soldiers in exchange for an equivalent number of Ukrainian prisoners.

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July 17, 2024
Russia regained 95 of its soldiers in exchange for an equivalent number of Ukrainian prisoners.

June 25, 2024
An exchange resulted in the release of 180 prisoners from both sides.

May 31, 2024
Russia regained 75 of its soldiers in exchange for an equivalent number of Ukrainian prisoners.

February 8, 2024
Russia regained 100 soldiers in exchange for a similar number of Ukrainian prisoners.

January 31, 2024
Russia regained 195 soldiers in exchange for an equivalent number of Ukrainian prisoners.

January 3, 2024
A mediation that resulted in the return of 248 Russian soldiers in exchange for more than 200 Ukrainian prisoners, one of the largest prisoner exchanges since the beginning of the crisis in February 2022.

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February 4, 2023
A mediation that returned 63 “sensitive” prisoners of war to Russia in exchange for 116 Ukrainian prisoners.

Messages and Implications

The successful mediations carried out by the UAE carry significant messages and implications, including:

• They offer a glimmer of hope for a resolution to a crisis affecting global security and stability.
• They reflect the trust the UAE enjoys from both Russia and Ukraine.
• They represent Russia and Ukraine’s appreciation of the UAE’s role in supporting the diplomatic track to resolve the crisis between the two countries.
• They reflect the strong cooperation and friendship between the UAE and both countries.
• They highlight the UAE’s continuous and determined efforts to push for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
• They underscore the growing stature of the UAE and its continued global leadership, as well as the recognition and trust the world places in its leadership and mediation efforts.
• They confirm the wisdom of the UAE’s approach since the crisis began, maintaining a position of positive neutrality that has allowed it to play a positive role in resolving the crisis.

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Economic and Humanitarian Support

The positive neutrality during the crisis has also allowed the UAE to use it to support economic cooperation with Ukraine, culminating in the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries a few days ago during the Ukrainian president’s visit to the UAE this month.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Zelensky witnessed the signing of the “Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement” between the two countries, aimed at opening new horizons for joint cooperation and trade and investment exchanges.

The agreement is expected to add $369 million to the UAE’s GDP and $874 million to Ukraine’s GDP by 2031, according to the UAE News Agency (WAM).

It also supports accelerating Ukraine’s economic recovery and creates new opportunities for cooperation in various sectors, such as infrastructure, heavy industries, aviation, space, and information technology.

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Humanitarian Support

In parallel with its ongoing diplomatic and political efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, the UAE is also actively involved in humanitarian initiatives, including sending a humanitarian airlift to support Ukrainian refugees and those affected by the crisis.

These efforts include:

– On February 18, the UAE signed a cooperation agreement with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, aiming to provide additional centers for foster families and care for orphans with a financial contribution of $4.5 million USD.

This initiative is part of the second phase of the project, as the UAE had already built several fully equipped shelters for Ukrainian foster families, creating a safe and stable environment for children who lost their parental care.

The second phase aims to enhance support for foster families and provide decent housing for children.

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– Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has sent relief planes carrying over 1,015 tons of medical, food, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

– The UAE has provided 50 ambulances and over 4,500 generators to address winter challenges.

– The UAE has supported the education sector by providing 7,500 laptops and 10,000 school bags.

– The UAE sent two relief ships to Romania, benefiting over 1.2 million people, including one million women and children.

– Humanitarian relief assistance worth $105 million has been allocated.

At the start of the crisis, the UAE announced in March 2022 that it would provide $5 million in humanitarian aid to civilians affected in Ukraine in response to the UN’s urgent call and the regional refugee response plan for Ukraine, reflecting the country’s focus on humanitarian solidarity in times of conflict.

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On October 18, 2022, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the provision of an additional $100 million USD in humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians affected by the crisis.

International Engagement

– Participation in various international conferences supporting a political and humanitarian solution to the crisis, including: – An international conference in Paris to mobilize humanitarian support for Ukraine in December 2022. – A conference hosted in Berlin in June 2024. – A ministerial conference on “The humanitarian dimension of the 10-point peace formula for Ukraine,” held in Montreal, Canada, in October 2024.

The UAE continues to provide humanitarian and relief support to refugees and displaced persons in Ukraine, consistent with the UAE leadership’s policy of extending a helping hand to people worldwide to help them overcome their humanitarian crises.

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These meetings reflect the UAE’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships and cooperation with various countries, serving mutual interests and contributing to sustainable development and global prosperity. Through its relationships with countries such as Bahrain, Somalia, and the Central African Republic, the UAE seeks to build bridges of cooperation in areas such as economics, energy, and infrastructure.

These initiatives embody the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to spread values of good and peace, and reflect the UAE’s commitment to building a prosperous and sustainable future for the world’s people.

UAE and Bahrain

Among the latest meetings, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, received on Wednesday Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

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The two sides exchanged Ramadan greetings during their meeting at the Palace of the Beach in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting discussed the close fraternal relations between the UAE and Bahrain, as well as their shared desire to continue strengthening their cooperation for the welfare and development of their respective peoples.

The President of the UAE also hosted an Iftar meal in honor of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Somali Thanks

This meeting took place two days after Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of the Republic of Somalia.

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During the meeting, held at the Al-Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi, the two sides exchanged Ramadan greetings and discussed the brotherly relations between the two countries, as well as ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, particularly efforts to achieve stability and development in Somalia.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised the role of the UAE and its continuous support to the Republic of Somalia in various sectors, especially in supporting development efforts to meet the aspirations of its people for development, stability, and prosperity.

Partnership with South Africa

On the 6th of this month, a summit was held between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. The two leaders discussed the possibilities of strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation, especially in the economic, trade, investment, renewable energy, infrastructure, and other key development sectors that serve the common interests of the two countries.

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During the meeting at the Al-Shatie Palace in Abu Dhabi, the visiting president congratulated the UAE President on the occasion of Ramadan, wishing further progress and prosperity for the UAE and its people.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirmed, during the meeting, the UAE’s commitment to continue building development partnerships with African countries for a more prosperous and sustainable future for their peoples and the world.

The two sides expressed their mutual interest in advancing the cooperation between the UAE and the Central African Republic, which would benefit both countries and contribute to achieving sustainable economic prosperity and meeting their future aspirations.

The two leaders signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment opportunities, particularly in key sectors.

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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “We look forward to the signing of this comprehensive economic partnership agreement marking a new phase in the relations between the UAE and the Central African Republic, under their shared vision for growth and sustainable development, to achieve mutual economic and societal benefits.” He added that the agreement aims to open new horizons for trade, investment, and cooperation to serve the interests of our two communities.

The meeting also witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries, covering areas such as investment protection and promotion, avoidance of double taxation, infrastructure, as well as mineral resources and education.

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Partnership Diplomacy

The summits, discussions, and agreements highlight the UAE’s commitment to building effective partnerships with countries worldwide and promoting multilateral international cooperation to achieve sustainable development and prosperity for all peoples. This is constantly emphasized by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in his meetings and summits with world leaders and officials.

These meetings and events are part of the UAE’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and establish strategic partnerships that meet the aspirations of Emiratis and peoples worldwide for a future of growth and prosperity.

The UAE believes that partnerships alone can overcome today’s complex and interrelated challenges, including food security, energy, climate change, and healthcare, and are the optimal way to achieve peace, security, progress, prosperity, and development.

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The UAE continues to strengthen its relations with all countries, placing exceptional emphasis on partnerships with countries that have distinguished economic experiences. These relationships contribute to building bridges of communication and cooperation, serving mutual interests, and supporting development efforts across various sectors.

At the start of Ramadan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent his Ramadan greetings to the people of the UAE, residents, and the Arab and Muslim peoples, praying to God for this month to be one of goodness and peace for all the peoples of the world. He added: “Ramadan is a month of goodness, mercy, righteous deeds, and an opportunity to strengthen the values of family and community solidarity.”

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