UAE mediates exchange of 300 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 300 prisoners in a UAE-mediated swap confirmed by the UAE government on Wednesday. The mediation resulted in the release of 150 Russians and 150 Ukrainians, state news agency Wam reported. It brings the total number of prisoners exchanged between the two countries to 2,883. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to both countries for their co-operation in what was the 12th successful mediation since the beginning of 2024. The ministry added that it will continue to work to support all diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, and to mitigate the humanitarian effects of the crisis. 'Some of the guys had been in captivity for more than two years,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on social media. Russia's defence ministry said it had swapped 150 captured Ukrainian troops for the return of 150 Russians held by Kyiv. Its troops were undergoing medical checks in allied Belarus before returning to Russia, it said. The news follows a month of successful mediations, which highlight the Gulf's growing influence in global diplomacy.
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