Turkey sets no conditions for Ukraine to return Azovstal commanders home - Ambassador Bodnar

Bodnar shared the information on the Radio Liberty project.

According to the ambassador, Ankara is interested in this operation because in this way Turkey is strengthening its position in the international arena.

In particular, Bodnar noted that no conditions for the return of Ukrainian servicemen had been put forward that he was aware of. He added that this is, on the contrary, "a feature of the Turkish side's position as a mediator, which provides so-called good offices to keep the process going."

"Its role in this process is, of course, also important. Because its ratings are rising. Let's not assume that this is just a kind gesture towards Ukraine. This is also a strengthening of Turkey's position in communication with the Russian side," Bodnar said.

He also said that negotiations on the release of the commanders lasted several months. According to the ambassador, "the entire diplomatic vanguard" was involved in this process.

"The preparatory work lasted for several months. The President (of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy - ed.) negotiated with President (of Turkey Recep - ed.) Erdogan not only during his visit, but there were several phone calls and contacts beforehand, of course, wherever such contacts could be found," he summarized.

Information regarding the Azovstal commanders who have returned from captivity

On September 21, 2022, a total of 215 Ukrainian defenders were released from Russian captivity. Among them were Denys Prokopenko, Svyatoslav Palamar, Serhiy Volynskyi, Oleh Khomenko, and Denys Shleha.

The operation to free the prisoners had three parts: exchanging Ukrainians for Viktor Medvedchuk, who is close to Vladimir Putin, getting assistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to release 5 commanders, and freeing 10 foreign fighters who supported Ukraine.

On September 24, the spokesperson for the Turkish president, Ibrahim Kalin, said that Erdogan and Zelenskyy agreed to exchange 15 Azovstal commanders, but only 5 were released.

Molfar, the deputy commander of the Azov regiment, stated that all the Ukrainian soldiers who were released had been tortured by the Russians during their captivity. They were in a tough condition, both mentally and physically, and needed help.

In September, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, had a conversation with the released Azovstal commanders who were in Turkey at the time. They received medical examinations, and their condition was thoroughly assessed.

On July 8, 2023, Ukraine brought back the commanders from Azovstal who were in Turkey after being captured by the Russians.