Government seizes on soldiers' release

With Greece set to exit its bailout program on Monday, the timing of the release of the two Greek soldiers by Turkey on Tuesday could not have been more favorable for the government, which has been under pressure since last month's devastating wildfires.

"Fortune owed us some good news," a senior government official said shortly after Greek soldiers Dimitris Kouklatzis and Angelos Mitretodis were set free by the Turkish government. They had been held without charge for five months.

The two were arrested on March 1 after crossing the border between the two countries during a routine patrol in bad weather.

Greece and the European Commission had been strongly protesting their detention in the western town of Edirne for months. Government officials reckon Ankara's change of heart with regard to the soldiers was linked to its trade war with Washington and Turkish...