The exchange of two prisoners between the United States and Russia has succeeded, after Saudi-Emirati mediation facilitated the completion of the deal. Under this deal, images surfaced of American basketball star Brittney Greiner arriving in her country after Russian authorities released her as part of a swap deal that included Russian arms dealer Victor Bout .
A joint statement by the foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia and the UAE confirmed the successful mediation of Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in releasing the two prisoners. The press release states that Abu Dhabi “received (Wednesday) the American citizen on a private plane from Moscow, after the Russian authorities had released her, and at the same time a private plane arrived from Washington carrying the American citizen and the American and Russian sides received their citizens, in preparation for their transfer to their countries and in the presence of specialists from the Saudi and Emirate sides.
In a festive atmosphere, US President Joe Biden delivered a speech alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and relatives of the basketball player, and said that his release “required arduous negotiations and intense”.
Though the deal was celebrated, the Biden administration was criticized for failing to revive Paul Whelan, a US corporate security executive who was jailed in Russia for four years on espionage charges and sentenced to 16 years of prison.
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The United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
US-China relations
