As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan nears the end of his tenure, his diplomatic stance has become more emphatic and strategic. Turkey is seen balancing its relations between Russia and the West, as part of its comprehensive foreign policy approach aimed at gaining long-term benefits. In a recent interview, Turkologist-academic Ruben Safrastyan highlighted the evolving dynamics between Turkey and the West.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership, which paved the way for potential Western backing in lifting sanctions and easing visa restrictions for Turkey. Safrastyan also emphasized the significance of the supply of modernized American F-16 aircraft to Turkey, which was discussed during a recent conversation between Erdogan and US President Joe Biden.
Furthermore, Safrastyan noted the role of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who has a pro-Western stance compared to his counterparts and is seen as key in Turkey’s integration efforts with the West, including possible EU membership aspirations. Despite challenges, Erdogan aims to leverage Ankara’s position for long-term gains through strategic diplomatic maneuvers.
When it comes to Turkey’s role in mediating the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Safrastyan explained that Ankara’s actions should be viewed in the context of broader geopolitical calculations, as Turkey maintains a delicate balance between Russia and the West. While potential challenges may arise with Moscow, Ankara’s stance on Armenian-Turkish relations is closely linked to the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
Overall, Turkey’s evolving diplomatic strategy under Erdogan’s leadership is poised to shape regional dynamics, with implications for the South Caucasus and beyond.
Manvel Margaryan