In a joint statement issued on December 8, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the successful conclusion of the mediation efforts led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that resulted in the release and exchange of two prisoners between the United States of America and the Russian Federation.

‏The joint statement issued by the two ministries confirmed that the success of the mediation efforts is a reflection of the mutual and strong friendship between their two countries and both the United States of America, and the Russian Federation, and the important role played by the leaderships of the two brotherly countries in promoting dialogue between all parties.

‏The statement indicated that Abu Dhabi received, on December 8, 2022, the American citizen, Brittney Griner, via a private plane coming from Moscow, after Russian authorities released her, in conjunction with the reception of the Russian citizen, Viktor Bout, via a private plane coming from Washington D.C after US authorities released him, in the presence of the relevant officials from the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The American and Russian sides took custody of their citizens, in preparation for their transfer to their countries.

‏The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United Arab Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conveyed the gratitude of their governments to the governments of the United States of America and the Russian Federation for their cooperation and for responding to the joint mediation efforts made by the leaderships of the two countries.