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For a long time it was not known which side Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69) was on in the war in Ukraine. He criticized the sanctions against Russia, met President Vladimir Putin (70) with Russia’s ally Iran and congratulated the Kremlin boss on October 7, 2022 as one of the few heads of state on his 70th birthday. On the other hand, Turkey supplied combat drones to Ukraine.
Erdogan also tried to be a neutral mediator and even managed to arrange a grain deal – allowing Ukrainian crops to be shipped to Africa.
But now Erdogan seems to show his colors – pro Ukraine and against his “best friend”, as he called Putin! He has wiped out the Kremlin boss three times in the past few days.
Erdogan received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45) on Friday. He surprised his visitor with the clear statement: “There is no doubt that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.” A stab in the heart of Putin, whose greatest enemy is the Western military alliance.
Selenski did not return from the visit alone on Saturday. Erdogan released five fighters who had defended the Azovstal Steel Works and had been captured by the Russians. Russia handed over the soldiers to Turkey on the understanding that they would be tried later. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (55) complained: “The return of the Azov commanders from Turkey to Ukraine is nothing more than a direct violation of the existing agreements.”
Turkey is apparently planning further arms deliveries to Ukraine. In an interview last week, Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Oleksiy Hromov said that Turkey had promised them T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzers.
On Sunday, the wires between Moscow and Ankara glowed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (73) conveyed the Kremlin’s displeasure to his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan (55). The Russian Foreign Ministry then announced that it had drawn Ankara’s attention to the “destructive course of the continued supply of military equipment to the Kiev regime” and that this could lead to “negative consequences”. A clear threat!
There is probably a special reason why Erdogan now rejects Putin in such a way. Ali Sonay (39), Turkey expert at the University of Bern, tells Blick: “Erdogan has taken into account Putin’s weakening, especially in the context of the Wagner uprising, and is now very likely taking the opportunity to Russia to invade Ukraine and also to pressurize other scenes.”
Sonay does not believe Erdogan will completely break with the Kremlin. “He has by no means decided to support Ukraine exclusively. He remains committed to maintaining dialogue with both sides of the conflict.” Putin’s next visit to Turkey is imminent.
Ali Sonay still sees Erdogan as a possible mediator. “Erdogan is still in contact with both sides. He has a position of influence that few states currently have.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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