UAE mediation efforts succeed with new exchange of 410 captives between Russia, Ukraine
The United Arab Emirates has announced the success of mediation efforts in a new exchange of war captives between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, which included 205 Ukrainian captives and 205 Russian captives, bringing the overall number exchanged through UAE mediation efforts to 4,181.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its appreciation to the two countries for their cooperation with the UAE's mediation endeavors. This reflects the confidence and appreciation of both countries for the UAE's role in supporting all efforts to resolve the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
The Ministry emphasised that the success of this mediation, the fifteenth, reflects the distinguished ties between the UAE and the two countries.
Furthermore, the Ministry reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to ensuring the success of all efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, and mitigating the humanitarian impacts as a result of the crisis, including on refugees and captives.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Photos: Umm Al Quwain Crown Prince holds wedding reception at Amiri Diwan
On Tuesday, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, hosted a reception on the occasion of the marriage contract of the Crown Prince. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla has married the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. Sheikh Rashid is also the Chairman of the Executive Council and holds a leading role in the emirate's governance and development. The event was held in the presence of Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain. The Ruler of Umm Al Quwain received congratulations and blessings from the attending sheikhs and guests on the occasion. Take a look at some photographs from the evening: Among those who attended the reception were His Excellency Sheikh Humaid bin Ahmed Al Mu'alla; Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Head of the Amiri Diwan; Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Mu'alla; Sheikh Saif bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development; Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation in Ajman; Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department in Ajman; and a number of other sheikhs.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Lebanon looks to visitors from Gulf as it pushes to increase tourism
Lebanon is looking forward to a boost in tourism from Gulf countries as its new leadership works to rebuild ties after years of estrangement. The UAE and Kuwait have lifted bans on their citizens travelling to Lebanon after recent visits by President Joseph Aoun, who has also travelled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar after taking office in January. 'Lebanon is moving in the right direction, getting back to the Arab fold – and that's a Lebanese demand before anything else,' Fouad Dandan, Lebanon's ambassador to the UAE, told The National. Gulf tourists and investors − particularly from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE − were significant contributors to the economy for decades before relations soured over the increasing influence of Iran over the country through Hezbollah. However, the Lebanese armed group and political party has been considerably weakened after a year-long war with Israel that led to them signing a peace deal last November. Preparations for an increase in arrivals are already under way, with an additional terminal to be built at Beirut's international airport. Plans for a new airport are also in the works, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announcing last month that the master plan would be unveiled shortly and the project thrown open to foreign investors. To be called the Rene Mouawad Airport, the new airport in Qlayaat 'could play a strategic role in facilitating cargo movement and affordable travel', Mr Salam told a conference in Beirut on Tuesday. At the same time, flag carrier Middle East Airlines is looking at setting up a low-cost carrier to serve destinations in the Middle East and Europe. The budget airline would be a wholly owned subsidiary of the wider MEA group but fully independent, Mohamad El Hout, chairman of MEA, told The National. He said MEA had seen 'significant growth in passenger traffic' this month, and was forecasting year-on-year growth of 10 per cent to 15 per cent in the second half of 2025. Given its history of conflict, Lebanon's security forces have also been rallied to encourage more foreign visitors. 'Preparations are under way to welcome tourists, though the state is working with a limited budget. Efforts have been made to improve visitors' experience. The road from the airport to Beirut has been repaired, and political banners and posters were removed months ago,' a senior security official involved in the operations told The National. 'What's new is the increased police presence near airport routes, especially at night. Police staffing has recently expanded to accommodate these new duties, and additional checkpoints are now active, with clear instructions to search suspicious vehicles and fine violators.' In the long run, drawing more visitors to its beaches, mountains and nightlife could play a key role in Lebanon's efforts to rebuild an economy hit by mismanagement, corruption and war, with the tourism sector estimated to account for 20 per cent of GDP. 'Eid Al Adha gives a glimpse of how this summer will look,' Jean Abboud, president of the Association of Travel and Tourist Agents in Lebanon, told The National. 'We're seeing new nationalities this year: Emiratis, Kuwaitis and Qataris. Gulf tourists tend to spend more time and money in the country. 'In May, airport traffic rose 11 per cent compared to the same period last year. The momentum is encouraging.'
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Iran threatens US bases in region if military conflict arises
If nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday, days ahead of a planned sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks. "Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us... all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries," Nasirzadeh said during a press conference. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with bombing if it does not reach a new nuclear deal. The next round of talks is due this week, with Trump saying negotiations would be held on Thursday while Tehran says they will take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran is expected to hand a counter-proposal to a previous US offer for a nuclear deal it rejected, with Trump reacting on Tuesday that Iran is becoming "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks. Nasirzadeh added Tehran recently tested a missile with a two-ton warhead and does not accept limitations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said in February that Iran should further develop its military, including its missiles.
