"Azov people" returned from Turkey to Ukraine on the same plane with President Zelensky

Five Azov commanders returned to Ukraine on Saturday, July 8, information about this is posted on official website President Volodymyr Zelensky:

“According to the results of negotiations with the Turkish side, Ukraine returned to its homeland the military defenders of Azovstal: the commander of a separate special forces detachment of the National Guard “Azov” Hero of Ukraine Denis Prokopenko, his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, acting commander of the 36th separate marine brigade Sergei Volynsky , senior officer “Azov” Oleg Khomenko and the commander of the 12th brigade of the National Guard Denis Schleg.

The meeting of the president with the defenders from Mariupol took place at the Istanbul airport, the head of state congratulated them on their return:

“Congratulations! You are our heroes. I am very glad to see you returning to your homeland. Glory to Ukraine!”

On board the plane, Zelensky spoke with the defenders of Azovstal and thanked them for their courage and steadfastness, writes “UP”. Earlier on Saturday, the president announced the return from Turkey of military commanders who had defended Azovstal and then, after being released from Russian captivity, were in this country.

September 21, 2022 within the framework of the exchange with the Russian Federation managed to free 215 Ukrainian prisoners of war, among whom were commanders from Azovstal Denis Prokopenko “Redis”, Sergei Volynsky “Volyn”, Svyatoslav Palamar, Denis Shlega, Oleg Khomenko. Russia then returned Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 Russian prisoners of war.

The five Azov commanders were in Turkey under Erdogan’s personal guarantees of protection and security. Zelensky then stated that, according to the agreements, they would stay in Turkey until the end of the war. At the same time, the head of the GUR, Kirill Budanov, said that they would live in Turkey “for a certain period of time.” In May 2023, Ekaterina Prokopenko, founder of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families, said that Azov commanders in Turkey live in a closed facility but have access to information.

Russia accused Ukraine and Turkey of violating the agreements. Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the return of commanders from Azovstal from Turkey to Ukraine is a violation of the terms of the existing agreements, which violated both the Turkish side and Kiev – they were supposed to stay in Turkey “until the end of the conflict.” He said that no one informed Russia about the transfer of Azovstal’s defenders to Ukraine. In his opinion, the decision to extradite them to Kyiv is allegedly connected with “failures” in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. And he said that in the context of preparations for the NATO summit, pressure was exerted on Turkey, and Ankara is showing solidarity. The Russian Federation “understands everything very well,” Peskov said, but the violation of the agreements does not paint anyone.

What does the return of the “Azovites” to their homeland mean and what will be the consequences? edition “A country”. The first version is being actively discussed in Russian telegram channels: Erdogan is “showing his teeth” in response to Russia’s plans to abandon the “grain deal” and demonstrating his readiness in this case to seriously reduce the level of relations with the Kremlin.

At the same time, the day before, the Turkish leader announced a meeting with Putin planned in Ankara in August and an extension of the grain deal – for at least three months, or better – for a couple of years. However, it is obvious that after the dispatch of Azov commanders to Ukraine, the chances of Putin’s visit and the extension of the deal became less.

Another version actively discussed in Russia, which was voiced by Peskov: on the eve of the NATO summit, where, probably, there will not be an invitation to the alliance of Ukraine and against the backdrop of “problems in the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” Erdogan decided to help Zelensky win a local information victory.

And the main question: can this step lead to a break in the rather close partnership between Moscow and Ankara? In Turkey, most likely, they are sure that Russia will not agree to this, as it is interested in cooperation to circumvent sanctions and many joint projects. The answer to this question will become clear in the near future. Everything is possible if we recall the situation after the downing of a Russian plane by Turkey in 2015 – the countries were then on the verge of breaking off relations, and Moscow imposed economic sanctions against Ankara.

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