Erdoğan: Russia, Ukraine exchanged 200 prisoners under Türkiye's mediation

Photo: AA

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 200 prisoners of war yesterday (September 21) as a result of Türkiye's mediation and diplomatic traffic conducted with the leaders of the two countries, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced.

Erdoğan told reporters in New York City that the prisoner exchange under Türkiye's mediation was an "important step" towards ending the war between the two countries.

He said efforts to establish peace between Russia and Ukraine continue.

The president also thanked his counterpart in Russia, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding, "I would also like to thank all my friends who contributed to this process."

Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın welcomed the exchange on Twitter, saying, "This exchange, which took place as a result of the intense diplomatic traffic of our President, is one of the most important results of the peace diplomacy pursued by our country. Türkiye always favors peace."

The president said that Türkiye has followed a balanced policy between Russia and Ukraine since the war started in February and favors listening to both presidents at the negotiation table in Türkiye.

Later, the US thanked Türkiye for its role in the prisoner exchange.

"I would like to thank the Turkish government for helping facilitate the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, building on their leadership on the grain deal," President Joe Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted. (VK)