BRICS Summit: Uae President makes key statement on achieving peace in Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have been fighting a brutal conflict since February 2022. The situation remains tense in both countries ever since Russian troops marched into their neighbouring territory as part of a ‘special military operation’.

Uae President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is currently in Russia for the BRICS Summit. He said he is ready to support efforts to achieve peace beteen Russia and Ukraine. On Sunday, he and his Russian counterpart Putin held an informal conversation.

His Highness noted that his country continues to make efforts in mediating the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges, highlighting their readiness to make any effort to resolve crises and in the interests of peace, in the interests of both sides.

Uae facilitating 9 Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges

Since the beginning of 2024, UAE mediation efforts have successfully facilitated nine Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges. This month, the Gulf state helped in the release of 190 captives, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged to 2,184.

The success of the Emirati team’s mediation reflects the trust of both countries in the Uae, and their appreciation of the Gulf state’s role in supporting a diplomatic path to resolve the brutal fighting raging on for over 2.5 years.

In its statement, the Uae foreign ministry noted that the success of the latest mediation demonstrates the cooperative relations the Uae shares ith both Russia and Ukraine. The GCC nation is going to further push for dialogue and de-escalation.

Uae supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

Besides embracing the diplomatic path to find a peaceful solution, the Uae has also been sending financial support and food supplies to Ukraine. Reports suggest a financial contribution of $105 million to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine has been made.

There has also been a deployment of 14 aid airplanes for Ukraine and a couple of ships transporting humanitarian aid to Romania. The Gulf state has also distributed 1,015 tonnes of food and relief supplies, 7,500 laptops, and 10,000 school bags.

In addition to the aforementioned aid, the Uae has also dispatched aid for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, Bulgaria and Poland. To support the fragile health sector in Ukraine, the Emirati leadership has also contributed 50 fully-equipped ambulances.