This week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) successfully mediated a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, leading to the release of 300 inmates.

On Wednesday, 150 Ukrainian soldiers and 150 Russian troops were traded between Moscow and Kyiv, as part of ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the conflict that started in February 2022. Since 2024, the UAE's diplomatic efforts have facilitated the release of 2,883 prisoners of war, marking the twelfth successful mediation carried out by Abu Dhabi.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended both Russia and Ukraine for their collaboration in the exchange and reiterated its commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted photos of the freed prisoners on social media, expressing gratitude to the UAE and international partners for their assistance in achieving their release.

The prisoners exchanged were captured in areas like Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia and had been in captivity for over two years.