Russia and Ukraine at war have agreed to "
exchange 200 prisoners
", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday evening, September 19, on American television PBS.
"
200 prisoners will soon be exchanged following an agreement between the parties
," said the Turkish head of state, considering that this is a "
significant
" step forward in this conflict.
He did not give any other details on this agreement, nor on the people concerned, civilians or soldiers, during this interview given in Turkish.
Turkey's role as mediator
For Erdogan, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), the head of the Kremlin "
wants to end
this war as soon as possible".
The Turkish President, who has managed to maintain his ties with Moscow and Kiev since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, has regularly offered his mediation in this conflict and repeats that "
we must find an agreement that satisfy everyone
”.
Read alsoErdogan wants to open a new “page” in Turkey-Russia relations with Putin
But for any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, it will be necessary to return the occupied lands, he insisted: "
This is what is expected and hoped for
", he continues, assuring that he and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
is "working
on it ".
Ankara has consistently called for Crimea to be returned to Ukraine since its occupation by Russia in 2014, Erdogan said, particularly concerned about the fate of the Turkish-speaking Tatar minority.
Erdogan arrived in New York on Saturday where he is due to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
