UAE mediation efforts facilitate sixth Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange

The Russia-Ukraine crisis erupted on February 24, 2022, as numerous members of the Russian army marched into Ukraine. The UAE has been facilitating prisoner exchanges since the beginning of the year and has already managed six so far.

The UAE mediation efforts recently helped Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners in the sixth major deal in 2024. The successful exchange on July 17 featured the release of 190 soldiers, according to the Emirati foreign ministry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X to confirm that 95 members of the country’s armed forces, National and Border Guards had returned home. He extended his thanks to the UAE for mediating the release.

Продовжуємо повертати наших людей додому. Ще 95 захисників звільнені з російського полону. Це воїни Збройних Сил України, Національної гвардії, прикордонники.

Вдячний нашій команді, яка займається обмінами, та Об’єднаним Арабським Еміратам – за посередництво в цьому звільненні.… pic.twitter.com/bG3HMPFklM

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 17, 2024

UAE stresses importance of dialogue and de-escalation

So far in 2024, the UAE has facilitated six Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges – the first couple of them came in January, then one each in February, May, June and the latest exchange. It brings the total number of prisoners exchanged through mediation to 1,558.

The UAE ministry expressed its appreciation to the governments of Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation as the deal comes less than a month after the previous one. These efforts reflect the Emirates’ commitment to being a reliable mediator supporting diplomacy.

The UAE remains committed to continuing all efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, stressing the importance of dialogue and de-escalation as the only methods to resolve the conflict, and for mitigating its humanitarian repercussions.

Status of UAE as a trusted partner on international stage

Since the beginning of this year, the UAE mediation efforts have succeeded in completing six Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges. In addition, the Gulf state helped Russia and the US exchange a couple of prisoners in December 2022.

In January 2024, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 400 prisoners in one of the biggest deals since the outbreak of the brutal conflict. UAE mediation facilitated the deal. 248 prisoners returned to Russia and 230 others got back to Ukraine.

The six exchange deals so far this year are the outcomes of the UAE leveraging its distinct partnerships. The exchanges reflect the status of the Gulf state as a trusted partner on the international stage. Find the complete timeline of exchanges here.

Fifth Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange in June

Fourth deal in May

Third exchange deal in February

Second deal in January

First Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange in January – biggest one so far