yet further escalation against Russia, trivial in one way, but important in another Archived Message Posted by John Monro on July 9, 2023, 12:12 am https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/08/ukraine-brings-home-five-commanders-captured-in-mariupol-siege Turkey releases five Ukrainian PoWs captured in Mariupol. They were sent to Turkey as part of a prisoner exchange deal, and were supposed , by agreement, to remain held in Turkey until the "end of the war", according to Russia. Presumably as more senior officers they are from the Azov forces. So five defeated officers are not on their own going to change the course of the war, but you can guarantee that Putin and all Russia will be furious at Erdogan it's definitely upping the ante,. It's a small, but significant, betrayal. Erdogan is playing a tricky game here, I suspect he's been yielding to some US pressure or blackmail of some sort, but it won't pay him or his country to have Putin offside. It might well affect any grain or fertiliser shipment deals which up to now Erdogan has helped negotiate, for instance. I'll be interested to hear what the Duran or Mercouris have to say here. Message Thread: yet further escalation against Russia, trivial in one way, but important in another - John Monro July 9, 2023, 12:12 am In addition, yesterday I heard that Turkey supports Ukraine joining NATO .. - t July 9, 2023, 10:59 am Re: yet further escalation against Russia, trivial in one way, but important in another - t July 9, 2023, 9:11 pm   Searching