Prisoner exchanges and a new economic agreement: Zelensky shared details of his conversation with the UAE president.

During his official visit to the United Arab Emirates, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in an expanded format as well as in a one-on-one setting.

The president's press service reports this information.

The head of state expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in the release of Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. With the mediation of this country, there have already been 12 exchanges.

“Ukraine hopes that together with the UAE, we will manage to bring home even more Ukrainians. This was one of the key topics of the negotiations,” the statement reads.

It is noted that Zelensky discussed the situation on the battlefield and the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine. He emphasized that the alliance between Russia, North Korea, and Iran poses direct threats to the entire world, including the United Arab Emirates, and called for strengthening sanctions against Russia.

Additionally, the president spoke about the efforts Ukraine is making to end the war and achieve a fair and lasting peace.

Zelensky also stated that despite Russian aggression, our country remains one of the guarantors of global food security. Through the humanitarian initiative "Grain from Ukraine," millions of lives have been saved during its implementation: Ukraine has delivered over 286,000 tons of agricultural products to 15 countries most in need.

He informed about a new program, "Food from Ukraine," aimed at assisting the Syrian people, and invited the UAE to support it. They separately discussed potential projects for creating a food hub in Egypt and opportunities for implementing agricultural programs in Ukraine.

According to the report, discussions included the development of bilateral cooperation, particularly in innovation and economic-trade sectors. The president outlined key partnership directions that would be beneficial for both nations.

“Before the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion, trade turnover between Ukraine and the UAE amounted to $1.15 billion. Due to Russian aggression, it decreased, but it is growing again each year,” the president's press service stated.

In the presence of the presidents, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the government of Ukraine and the government of the UAE.

It is reported that the document liberalizes access to the market of the United Arab Emirates for nearly all Ukrainian goods. Additionally, it covers services, investments, and digital trade.

It is emphasized that this is the first such agreement Ukraine has signed with one of the Gulf countries.

Background. Previously, Mind reported that negotiations between Russia and the USA in Saudi Arabia might take place on Tuesday. The Russian delegation is likely to be headed by Lavrov.