5/19/2023 0 Comments Turkey outline![]() ![]() Furthermore, Turkey finds itself at odds with Russia in several theaters around the region including the South Caucasus, Syria, and Libya. Turkey has condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, has provided military support to Ukraine, and refuses to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. It has also maintained relations with Russia throughout the war in Ukraine and refused to join Western sanctions.Īt the same time, it has taken steps to crack down on the transit of Western-sanctioned goods to Russia. Its purchase of the Russian S-400 air-defense system in particular set off alarm bells in NATO and cost Turkey its position in the US F-35 fighter jet program. ![]() To be sure, Turkey’s relationship with Russia is complex. Turkey is no Trojan horse for Russia, as some have argued. Turkey even advocated in favor of Ukraine and Georgia’s inclusion in the Alliance at a time when other allies were worried about provoking Russia. And over the last twenty years, it has had to deal with greater conflict and geopolitical instability on its borders, from Iraq to Syria, than any other NATO country.įurthermore, Turkey has consistently been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of NATO enlargement, including in the Baltics and former Warsaw Pact countries. Along with Norway, it was the only NATO country to share a border with the Soviet Union. It has been a net provider of security, serving as a bulwark on the Alliance’s Southeastern flank. Turkey has contributed to all major NATO missions, from the Korean War to the Balkans and Afghanistan. This is poised to be the fastest accession process in NATO history, but bringing it to a close will require both Turkey and Sweden to give ground. The breakthrough caps off a nine-month process since Turkey, Finland, and Sweden signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining an agreement on the Nordic countries’ accession last June. ![]() On March 30, Turkey’s Parliament voted in favor of ratifying Finland’s accession to NATO, pushing its bid over the finish line after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated his support two weeks earlier during a visit to Ankara by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. Turkey’s actions in recent weeks should strike a blow to the widespread perception that Ankara is only trying to disrupt NATO by holding up its enlargement. ![]()
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