Including two Americans Washington thanks Turkey for its mediation in the exchange of prisoners of war

The White House spokeswoman thanked Turkey for "facilitating the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia," which resulted in the release of hundreds of prisoners of war, including two Americans.

On Friday, the United States thanked Turkey for its help in brokering the agreement between Russia and Ukraine that resulted in the release of hundreds of prisoners of war, including two Americans.

White House spokeswoman Karen-Jean-Pierre thanked Turkey and Saudi Arabia for "facilitating the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia."

"The United States welcomes the negotiated exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia," she told reporters.

She added that Washington values ​​the inclusion or Ukraine of all prisoners regardless of nationality in its negotiations, noting that the United States "looks forward to reuniting the two American citizens with their families."

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a prisoner exchange deal thanks to Ankara's mediation and diplomatic negotiations with leaders of the two countries.

In a video statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange of 215 Ukrainian soldiers and thanked Turkey for its role.

For its part, Russia announced that Kyiv had released 55 of its soldiers. Two Americans were also released from captivity in Ukraine.