ISTANBUL: The European Union and NATO have welcomed the release of opposition figures and journalists held in Russia in a prisoner swap carried in Türkiye’s capital in Ankara, Turkish media reported on Friday.
“The European Union is relieved by the release and transfer to freedom outside Russia and Belarus of a number of political prisoners, including EU citizens, facilitated with the help of Türkiye,” foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement by the bloc’s External Action Service.
Borrell noting that the released individuals were unjustly persecuted in Russia and Belarus for political reasons, emphasized that those still detained must be freed immediately and unconditionally.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also welcomed the development. She said the Kremlin swapped innocent EU, US and Russian nationals for convicted murderers and criminals.
As part of the exchange, 10 prisoners, including two children, were transferred to Russia. Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) led an extensive prisoner swap involving seven nations on Thursday where 26 individuals were exchanged and transported to Ankara.
Seven aircraft from Germany, Poland, Norway, Slovenia, Russia, and two from the US transported the prisoners to Türkiye as part of the agreement. Thirteen individuals were later shifted to Germany, 10, including two children, to Russia, and three to the US.
Thanking all parties who helped make the deal possible, EU Council President Charles Michel stated: “I welcome the release of 16 people unjustly imprisoned by the Russian regime.”
“EU will continue supporting and standing for all those illegally detained in Russia and elsewhere,” Michel added.
Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, also welcomed the prisoner exchange.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also hailed the release of detained citizens and Russian political prisoners. Praising close cooperation between NATO members for this effort, he said: “The right to peaceful opposition and freedom of the media are vital for any functioning society.”
