UAE President, Saudi Crown Prince facilitate US-Russia prisoner exchange

The UAE and Saudi Arabia led mediation efforts that secured the release of U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap with Russia.

A UAE-Saudi joint statement announced the success of the mediation led by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Griner arrived in Abu Dhabi on board a private plane from Moscow on December 8 after her release by Russian authorities, as Russian citizen Viktor Bout, a former arms dealer, came in on another private plane from Washington after being released by the U.S.

The foreign affairs ministries of the UAE and Saudi Arabia said that the success of the mediation efforts reflects their countries' solid ties with both the U.S. and Russia.

UAE, Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs announced the success of the mediation led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the release and exchange of two prisoners between the U.S. and Russia.#WamNews https://t.co/3P6R62ecNc pic.twitter.com/v2k4pqP5D6

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) December 8, 2022