UAE mediates exchange of 230 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine

It is the seventh time Emirati mediators have assisted in releasing prisoners between the warring nations

The UAE mediated the release of 230 prisoners in an exchange agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Photo: Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa

Two hundred and thirty prisoners have been released in an exchange deal between Russia and Ukraine.

The exchange was mediated by the UAE, Wam reported on Saturday.

It is the seventh time the UAE has mediated an exchange between the warring nations, and the first prisoner swap since August 6 when Ukraine seized territory in a surprise offensive inside Russia.

The deal was announced as Ukraine marked its annual Independence Day.

It brings the total number of prisoners exchanged between the two countries through mediation to 1,788.

In July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 190 prisoners had been released with the help of mediation from the Emirates.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to the governments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine for their co-operation.

The ministry also reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, stressing the need for dialogue, de-escalation and diplomacy, and called on Russia and Ukraine to minimise the effects of war on humanitarian conditions.

In December 2022, the UAE also mediated the swap of two prisoners between the US and Russia.