Saudi Crown Prince Succeeds in Mediating Release of Foreign Prisoners

Freed foreign prisoners arrive in Saudi Arabia in preparation for their transfer to their countries (SPA)
Freed foreign prisoners arrive in Saudi Arabia in preparation for their transfer to their countries (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Succeeds in Mediating Release of Foreign Prisoners

Freed foreign prisoners arrive in Saudi Arabia in preparation for their transfer to their countries (SPA)
Freed foreign prisoners arrive in Saudi Arabia in preparation for their transfer to their countries (SPA)

Mediation sessions by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud succeeded on Wednesday in arranging the freeing of 10 prisoners of different nationalities as part of a prisoner release between Moscow and Kyiv.

Britain and Sweden, both of which have citizens that were released under Saudi mediation, were quick to welcome the Kingdom’s efforts.

“Based on the priority given by Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, and in continuation of his commitment to the humanitarian initiatives towards the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, and resulting from his continued engagement with the relevant countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the success of his mediation efforts that led to the release of ten prisoners of war (POWs) – who are Moroccan, US, UK, Swedish and Croatian nationals,” said a statement released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

They “are being released as part of an exchange of POWs between Russia and Ukraine.”

“Relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the Kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their safe return to their respective countries,” it added.

The Ministry expressed the gratitude of the Saudi government to Russia and Ukraine “for their response to the efforts made by the Crown Prince for the release of the POWs.”

British Prime Minister Liz Truss welcomed the release and transfer to Riyadh of five UK prisoners.

“Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families,” tweeted Truss.

She thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Saudi Arabia for helping free the detainees.

Moreover, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde also said that a Swedish citizen, held in Donetsk, “has now been freed and is well.”

She, too, thanked Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.



Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
TT

Syrian President Begins Gulf Tour Following Easing of International Sanctions

A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the UAE's Presidential Court shows President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Emirate of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa (L) shake hands during their meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 07 July 2025. EPA/THE UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT /HANDOUT

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has begun a tour of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, marking his second visit to the region and his first since most international sanctions on Syria were lifted.

The trip, which began in the United Arab Emirates, underscores Damascus’s push to reintegrate economically and diplomatically into the Arab world after more than a decade of isolation.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the tour aims to bolster economic cooperation and attract Gulf investments to support Syria’s national reconstruction and development plans.

Al-Sharaa arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where he was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders held official talks focusing on post-war recovery, economic partnership, and infrastructure development.

Speaking during the meeting, al-Sharaa said Syria has “turned the page on war and division” and is now focused on building “strategic partnerships” with its Gulf neighbors. He praised the UAE’s role in supporting regional stability and expressed interest in learning from the Emirati model in sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean energy.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for Syria’s efforts to restore stability and rebuild its war-torn economy. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, investment, and technology.