President Putin Praises UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed for Assistance in Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange

President Putin Praises UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed for Assistance in Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange

Moscow, May 1, 2025 – Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he praised Abu Dhabi's assistance in the prisoner exchange process related to the Russia-Ukraine war. The information was released in a statement by the Kremlin press service, according to a report by the state news agency TASS.

President Putin said,
“We are grateful for the assistance provided by the United Arab Emirates in organizing the prisoner exchange.”
The statement further noted,
“Thanks to the efforts of the Emirati side, 246 Russian servicemen were able to return home on April 19, the day before Easter.”

The Kremlin reported that both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current state of relations between Russia and the UAE, describing the relationship as strategic. The ties are said to be steadily developing across political, trade, economic, and humanitarian fields. The statement added,
“Such close cooperation helps both sides maintain dialogue even on the most sensitive international issues.”

During the phone call, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also congratulated the Russian president and people on the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Putin held a meeting at the Kremlin with the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister, Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Since the beginning of what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates has provided support to both sides on humanitarian issues and has been actively involved in the prisoner exchange process.