RIYADH — The mediation efforts led by the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman have crowned with success in the release and swap of two prisoners between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. This was announced in a joint statement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement confirmed that the success of the mediation efforts is a reflection of the joint and close friendship of the two countries with the US and Russia and the important role played by the leaderships of the two countries in promoting dialogue between all parties. The US citizen Brittney Grainer flew from Moscow on board a private plane and landed in Abu Dhabi following her release by the Russian authorities. This was in conjunction with the arrival of the Russian citizen Victor Bout, who reached Abu Dhabi on board a private plane coming from Washington after the US authorities released him. Both prisoners were received in the presence of UAE and Saudi officials. The released prisoners were handed over to American and Russian officials in preparation for their transfer to their countries. In the statement, the UAE and Saudi ministries offered thanks of their governments to the US and Russian governments for their cooperation and response to the joint mediation efforts made by the leaderships of the two countries. The US and Russia have exchanged jailed US basketball star Brittney Griner for the Russian citizen Viktor Bout who was held in an American prison for 12 years. President Joe Biden said Griner was safe and on a plane home from the UAE. "I'm glad to say Brittney's in good spirits... she needs time and space to recover," he said at the White House. Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February this year. Russia's foreign ministry confirmed the swap and said it had taken place at Abu Dhabi airport. "The Russian citizen has been returned to his homeland," it said in a statement.
