UAE mediates successful prisoner swap between Ukraine, Russia

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said Friday that it successfully mediated a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, resulting in the release of 150 prisoners.

In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said this is the fourth mediation effort between Russia and Ukraine by the UAE since the beginning of the year.

The statement highlighted “the success of mediation efforts by the UAE regarding the new exchange of war captives between Russian and Ukraine to release 150 captives.”

“This fourth (mediation) since the beginning of this year, is the outcome of the UAE leveraging its distinct relations between both sides to reach this agreement,” the statement added.

Russia launched on Feb. 24, 2022 a military operation in Ukraine.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday an exchange of 75 prisoners of war with Ukraine. The ministry said in a statement 75 Russian servicemen have been exchanged for 75 Ukrainian troops, who have already been transferred to Kyiv after mediation by the UAE.

In a separate statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, pledging to continue working "to bring home everyone from Russian captivity."

*Writing by Mohammad Sio