The Republic of Turkey has played an instrumental role in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Besides providing weapons such as Bayraktar drones, armored personnel carriers, and cluster munitions, Ankara has negotiated a grain corridor for a year and a half, alleviating the wheat crisis that plagued third-world nations during the war.

Along with military and diplomatic support, Turkey also successfully negotiated the release of the Azov commanders and is now actively attempting to mediate the release of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from Russian possession.

Turkey’s tremendous deeds to Ukraine are invaluable, but these acts also bring up their haunting past. Where Turkey is now negotiating the release of missing Ukrainian POWs and children, the country must also do the same for missing Cypriots after the 1974 invasion.