The joint statement released by the two ministries confirmed that the success of the mediation efforts is a reflection of the close and joint friendship between their two countries, the United States of America and the Russian Federation, and the important role played by the of the two brother countries in promoting dialogue between all parties.
The statement indicated that Abu Dhabi had received American citizen Brittney Grainer via private plane from Moscow on Jumada Al-Awwal 14, 1444 AH (corresponding to 8 December 2022 AD) after Russian authorities had released, in concurrent with the reception of Russian citizen Victor Bout via private plane from Washington, following his release by US authorities, in the presence of specialists from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The American and Russian sides handed over their citizens, in preparing for their transfer to their countries.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their thanks from the Governments of the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Governments of the United States of America America and the Russian Federation for their cooperation and response to the joint mediation efforts made by the two countries’ leaderships.