Turkey has been in a very difficult situation in recent days. It maintains good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, seeks to normalize relations with the West and is also one of NATO’s leading powers. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even suspended a tour of Africa this week, announcing his return to Turkey to attend a video conference of NATO leaders on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In an emotional statement yesterday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would not give up either Russia or Ukraine.
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–We have political, military and economic relations with Russia. At the same time, we have political, military and economic contacts with Ukraine. If you say, “Give up Ukraine,” we cannot do that, because the development of our bilateral interests is at a very serious level. If you say “give up on Russia”, it is also not possible to do so, because our bilateral relations have multilateral dimensions and are at a very advanced stage and meet the interests of our country, said the Turkish head of state.
Hours earlier, Erdogan said it was unacceptable for Turkey to recognize Russia’s “independence” of Donetsk and Luhansk, and that Turkey respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He called on all countries to abide by international law. However, Turkey’s position on Russia’s recent actions against Ukraine has not yet been announced. Today, the Turkish president convened a security meeting, the main topic of which will be the events in Ukraine.
In a telephone conversation yesterday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician. Born on October 7, 1952 in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Through Erdogan reiterated that Turkey will not recognize steps against Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The Turkish, as well as the Western media, kept talking about the terrible real danger of war with startling headlines like “War knocks on the door” and these ominous warnings came true. However, Turkish authorities have repeatedly said they are ready to mediate possible talks to reduce tensions. According to Ankara, absolutely all the possibilities of diplomacy should be used to solve the problem, ie. Turkey is not giving up on its second attempt at mediation to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian issue.
The first attempt was in December, when Erdogan first shared his idea of mediation. However, the proposal did not lead to anything substantial.
A few days ago, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kallan said preparations were under way in Turkey for an expected visit by the Russian president. Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician. Born on October 7, 1952 in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Through in the country.
The Turkish newspaper Star reported that Moscow’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk changed the region’s geopolitics and distribution of power, forcing Ankara not only to act in new conditions but also to prepare for the future. It is also clear to everyone that Ankara, like any other country, is pursuing its own personal goals, and President Erdogan is playing his own game in his efforts to be a peacemaker in resolving the complex conflict over Ukraine.
Haberturk commentator Nasuhi Güngör says no surprise moves have been made for Ankara by February 22nd, including a decision by the Russian president Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician. Born on October 7, 1952 in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. Through for the recognition of the “independence” of Donetsk and Lugansk was not unexpected. According to the analyst, although the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Russia’s actions were unacceptable, this was the expected “duty” of Ankara.
As after the war in August 2008, when Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the situation is extremely difficult for Ankara. On the one hand, Turkey, like its Western partners, does not support Russia’s decision to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk, on the other hand, cooperation with Moscow is crucial for Ankara and it would like to avoid the risk of deteriorating relations with Russia. At the same time, according to a number of observers, Turkey does not fail to mention the mistakes made by the West towards Ukraine. And presidential spokesman Ibrahim Cullen told the German newspaper Welt a few days ago that “sanctions against Russia will not help and the Russian side needs to be heard.”
Many observers are of the opinion that the Turkish media relatively objectively cover both the complex relations between Russia and the West and the Ukrainian crisis.
It should be noted that in addition to Putin, Erdogan was able to talk on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart this week. Vladimir Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky is a Ukrainian artist, screenwriter, producer and politician. Vladimir (sometimes. During the conversation, Erdogan said Turkey’s position was set out in a statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
What Turkey’s actions will be from today is unclear because of Russia’s military action against Ukraine tonight.
However, it is likely that Turkey will continue to maneuver, not particularly close to Russia, but also without moving away, and perhaps in the same way towards the West. It is likely that Erdogan will continue to try to act as a mediator between Erdogan and Putin, especially not forgetting Turkey’s interests; however, so far (until yesterday) he has lost almost none of the problems between Russia and Ukraine, but only gained more points politically.
