Turkey has made, of late, a series of moves that may substantially alter the regional geopolitical dynamics if pursued. The constantly-changing Turkish positions let many wonder if they actually stem from wise, far-sighted decision-makers, namely newly-elected president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a seasoned chess player, or they are just the abrupt products of some impetuous, myopic political leaders.
The confusing/tricky stands unfold as follows: Turkish head of state Erdoğan had received, on Friday in Ankara, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss an array of issues, including Turkey’s support for Ukraine in these difficult times.
Erdoğan also backed up Ukraine’s NATO membership (though vetoing it previously over the Kurdish issue), saying in a press conference in Istanbul early Saturday, “There is no doubt that Ukraine deserves membership in NATO.”
However, he shrewdly maintained a sort of neutrality when calling for peace in Ukraine and Russia, and urging the two sides to engage in peace talks.
In another perplexing move, Turkey decided to release the leaders of the Azov battalion, a Ukrainian military unit that was defending the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol before it was overrun by Russian forces.
Upon his return from Turkey, President Zelensky bragged about this accomplishment by posting a video of him in Istanbul airport greeting Azov commanders.
Evidently, this move enraged Russia as it violates an important agreement. According to Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia needs clarifications from Ankara about Turkey’s releasing of Azov nationalist battalion (outlawed in Russia) leaders to Kiev.
“Indeed, the return of the Azov leaders violates an existing agreement, and we will discuss this issue with Turkey and, in fact, we have already started talks on this issue,” Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the press.
Peskov stated that the Russian and Turkish foreign ministries had previously spoken over the phone about the issue at hand, and that “there is certainly more contact to follow at other levels as well.”
Russia and Turkey were planning a mega gas hub project, and though the rapprochement between Ukraine and Turkey had raised concerns over the Turkish-Russian collaboration, the broad-scope joint project, which is expected to benefit regional and European partners, was not derailed.
Many interpret the invitation of Zelensky as a signal that the NATO founding member is willing to take on a more active role in the Ukrainian crisis, and show goodwill to its western allies. The art of balance is not something easy to come by but Turkey seems to be among the few countries which excel at it, and a good example of that is how Turkey slammed Israel’s discriminatory policies in Palestine while having full normalization with it, Davos Conference is a good reminder…