UAE mediation facilitates 13th Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange

The UAE has announced the success of another phase of mediation efforts in another Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange. This deal included the transfer of 175 Ukrainian prisoners and 175 people from Russia – bringing the total number to 350.

It has been reported by the UAE Foreign Ministry that the total number of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners exchanged through Emirati mediation is 3,233. The success of this mediation, the 13th so far, reflects the ties the UAE and Russia and Ukraine share.

UAE Mediation Efforts Succeed with New Exchange of 350 Captives between Russia and Ukrainehttps://t.co/dPhP7YlMiB pic.twitter.com/FGQTlZZj4a

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) March 19, 2025

UAE facilitates 13th Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange

In its statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry expressed its appreciation to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine for their cooperation. The Gulf state is ready to continue its mediation efforts to facilitate more such prisoner exchanges in the near future.

The latest exchange reflects the appreciation of both Russia and Ukraine for the UAE’s distinguished role in supporting all efforts to address the crisis. The brutal fighting in Europe has been raging on since February 24, 2022.

The UAE Ministry also reaffirmed the Gulf state’s commitment to ensuring the success of all efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, and taking care of all the humanitarian impacts as a result of the crisis.

UAE’s increasing influence in global diplomacy

Today is another day when Ukraine brings its people back. 175 of our defenders have been released from Russian captivity. Another 22 defenders are returning home through measures beyond exchanges. Among them are severely wounded warriors and those whom Russia persecuted for… pic.twitter.com/r8vI7BiYxn

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025

The UAE is ready to mitigate the humanitarian crisis raging in Europe. The fighting is creating a lot of trouble for both refugees and prisoners. The latest exchange comes after a month of successful mediations earlier this year.

In a statement on X, Ukrainian President Zelensky described the exchange as one of the largest of its kind. The Russian Ministry of Defence has also confirmed the exchange, adding that all of the exchanged Russian soldiers are in Belarus.