Ukraine and Russia have swapped 84 prisoners from each side in a deal enabled by the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday.
The total number of prisoners exchanged by the two nations, brokered by the UAE, is now 4,349, released in 16 exchanges.
The move was welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted a statement on X.
"We are bringing Ukrainians back home to Ukraine. A new exchange, 84 people, both military personnel and civilians. Almost all of them require medical care and significant rehabilitation," he wrote.
He said those being released included Ukrainians being held by Russia since 2014. The "defenders of Mariupol" were among those being released in the exchange on Thursday, he added.
"I thank the UAE for its assistance in this exchange. And above all, I thank our warriors who replenish Ukraine’s 'exchange fund' every week on the front line," wrote Mr Zelenskyy.
"The bravery and effectiveness of our units on the front line make it possible, among other things, to bring our people back home. There will be more exchanges."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its thanks to Ukraine and Russia for the success of the UAE's mediation efforts, state news agency Wam reported.
"With the success of this mediation, the total number of Emirati mediations during the crisis has reached 16, confirming the strength and excellence of the UAE's relations with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine," Wam said.
The ministry affirmed the UAE would continue to ensure the success of various efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and mitigating the humanitarian impact of the war.
President Sheikh Mohamed made an official visit to Moscow last week, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During their meeting, Sheikh Mohamed thanked Mr Putin for facilitating the UAE's mediation concerning the prisoner exchanges, while Mr Putin thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE’s prisoner swap efforts.
Mr Putin is due to meet US President Donald Trump at an airbase in Alaska on Friday for a summit, which the Kremlin said would focus on "the resolution of the Ukraine crisis".
It will be the first time the Russian leader has been permitted on western soil since his country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
CREW
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
The five pillars of Islam
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
