How Turkey is improving its relations with Russia and the West Turkey has a unique foreign policy under President Erdogan's direction th...

How Turkey is improving its relations with Russia and the West

Turkey has a unique foreign policy under President Erdogan's direction that has enabled it to play the uncommon position of broker between Russia and Ukraine.

Turkish friends in the West were grateful when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a new chapter in relations with the European Union as a reward for supporting Sweden's bid to join NATO.

Shortly after, the conversation shifted back to Turkey's application for membership in the Customs Union and the European Union.

President of the European Commission Charles Michel stated that after speaking with President Erdogan at the NATO summit last week in Lithuania, "we are looking at opportunities before restoring relations between the European Union and Turkey and further strengthening our relations."

Additionally, he stated that the Commission asked the Council of the European Union and its Ambassador Josep Borell to submit a report "studying the plans" for the potential admission of Turkey to the European Union.

Quickly expressing their support for Turkey's participation in the European Union, which it has wanted since July 31, 1959, Western world leaders included US President Joe Biden, NATO President Jens Stoltenberg, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Has Turkey begun to alter its foreign relations?

Commentators claim that Turkey has "changed its political position," where it has started to distance itself from Russia and is leaning more towards "the West," as a result of Erdogan's approval to push the motion to seek the approval of the Turkish Parliament and to restore relations with the European Union and the United States.

Turkey's foreign policy, however, is more complex than first appears.

"The commenters have no knowledge about Shubaga Erdogan. All of his decisions are right in our eyes. Commentators' assertions that Turkey is shifting toward the West or the East are merely their opinions, according to AK Party spokesman Omer Celik. The complexity of the policies of the nations other than Turkey, he claimed, is not understood by individuals who make these statements.

Russia would not be pleased with Sweden joining NATO, but the Russian government said in a statement that it respects Turkey's choice.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We are aware that Turkey has a certain responsibility for NATO.

Erdogan is one of the select few world leaders who enjoy strong relations with Russia and Ukraine, where it has steadfastly refused to back either side in the conflict that has split the world in two.

According to Peskov, Turkey and Russia both have interests, and while the two nations have their disputes, they also share some interests that compel them to cooperate.

The truth is that Turkey and the European Union have a number of interests, including those relating to the Balkans, the Mena region, the Black Sea, the security of the Eastern Mediterranean, the battle against terrorism, the unlawful refugee flow, etc.

However, when examining the relationship between Turkey and Russia, it is impossible to ignore these interests.

Relationships with the United States are an issue.

Erdogan declared that Turkey and the United States have a new relationship after his meeting with the American president.

Turkey is under pressure to impose sanctions on Russia as a result of the conflict in Ukraine from its allies in the West, particularly the United States. Turkey's role in the conflict is still that of a neutral party, nevertheless.

Turkey has adopted a unique stance in the war, acting as a middleman between Russia and Ukraine.

As was mentioned during the general conference held in Vilnius, Lithuania, Turkey did not adopt this position in order to sever its ties with the United States and NATO.

As Erdogan wished Biden well in the next US election, both presidents grinned. In his reply, Biden expressed his eagerness to collaborate with President Erdogan during the ensuing five years.

He expressed gratitude to Erdogan for his leadership style and diplomatic stance on Sweden's NATO membership.

The connection between Turkey and the Western nations demonstrates how Turkey maintains its position among its allies, and both Western nations take a positive view of it as it strengthens its position inside the alliance.

Although it is important to recognize that Turkey's attitude does not aim to sever ties with either the West or Russia, it nonetheless pursues its objectives through its actions.

Erdogan will still be the only NATO president capable of bringing Ukraine and Russia to the discussion table.