Media: West wants to incite Türkiye against Russia

The West seeks to “incite Türkiye against Russia” through the conflict in Ukraine, said columnist for Turkish Milliyet newspaper Zafer Şahin.

“Their [the West's] attempt because of Ukraine has failed so far... Over the past 10 years, they have taken three well-known steps to pit Turkey against Russia: the shooting down of a Russian plane in Syria in 2015, the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara in 2016, the alliance's open support against Erdogan in the election race in 2023,” the author wrote, Caliber.Az reports.

Türkiye’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been characterized by a cautious balancing act, as it seeks to maintain good relations with both sides.

Türkiye has consistently expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, notably opposing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. It has provided Ukraine with military assistance, including drones, and enforced the Montreux Convention to limit Russian naval movements in the Black Sea. Additionally, Turkey has offered to mediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, positioning itself as a key diplomatic player.

Despite supporting Ukraine, Türkiye maintains significant economic and energy ties with Russia. These include trade and energy cooperation, such as gas supplies, which are crucial to Türkiye’s economy. Türkiye and Russia also cooperate in other areas, including regional security issues, particularly in places like Syria.

By Khagan Isayev