Russian, Turkish FMs discuss sending Ukrainian commanders home
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey spoke by telephone on Sunday, a day after Ankara angered Russia by sending five Ukrainian commanders home.
Russia called releasing the captured commanders a violation of a prisoner exchange agreement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on July 7 with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had arrived in Turkey. The main topic of the discussion was the release of Ukrainian commanders held captive by Russia.
The commanders had been captured in the port city of Mariupol, Ukraine.
Russian said that Turkey was supposed to keep the prisoners, according to an agreement forged between Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey.
The Russian ministry said the two sides had focused on recent developments around Ukraine, including Ankara’s sending captivated commanders home.
Russia threatened to quit the grain export deal when it comes up for renewal on July 17, saying demands to facilitate sales of its own grain and fertilizer have not been met.