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- October 13, 202619°
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- October 13, 202619°
Ukraine’s ambassador says Türkiye’s role in peace efforts is crucial
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara Neriman Celal praised Türkiye’s contribution to the Istanbul talks and prisoner exchanges. Celal said her country was ready to end the war immediately if suitable conditions were established.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara Neriman Celal said Türkiye’s mediation role in efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine was highly significant.
Celal said Türkiye had made substantial efforts to bring the Russian and Ukrainian sides together in Istanbul to discuss ways of reaching a solution and make decisions. The Ukrainian ambassador thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the government, the Turkish people and the state.
Emphasis on prisoner exchanges
Celal said Türkiye’s initiatives had contributed to talks between the two sides and prisoner exchanges, adding that the exchange carried out after the Istanbul negotiations had been made possible through Türkiye’s efforts.
Celal claimed that Ukraine, Türkiye, European countries and the United States wanted to end the war, while Russia did not. The Ukrainian ambassador called on partners to increase pressure on Moscow.
Celal said Ukraine was ready to end the war, adding that her country wanted peace more than anyone else and wanted the war to end immediately if the opportunity arose.
Agreements reached in the Istanbul talks
During negotiations held in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement on a comprehensive prisoner exchange.
During a new round on June 2, 2025, the sides agreed to hand over the remains of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers kept in frozen storage and exchange seriously ill and wounded soldiers, as well as prisoners under the age of 25.
At talks held in Istanbul in July 2025, the sides also agreed to exchange 1,200 more people and release those who had been held for more than three years.
Türkiye-Ukraine relations
Celal said relations between Ankara and Kyiv had a history of more than five centuries. She said Türkiye was among the first countries to recognize Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, adding that Ankara was currently one of the countries providing the strongest support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
Celal said the two countries had moved from friendship to a strategic partnership, adding that relations would enter a new phase when the free trade agreement between Türkiye and Ukraine comes into force in July 2026.
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