Erdogan's Ukraine visit - Turkey becoming global peacemaker

Turkey's geography forces it to pursue sober and active policies. The situation in neighboring Syria and Iraq remains tense. The activities of the terrorist groups in the region are threatening Turkey's security and territorial integrity. To put it differently, what is happening in the Middle East has a direct impact on this country. Its proximity to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia makes it one of the major regional actors over the events in the South Caucasus. There is a need for Turkey's intervention in the ongoing processes in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. In addition, being a member of NATO increases Turkey's responsibility.

Tensions in Russian-Ukrainian relations in recent years have drawn Ankara's attention to this issue. Some claim that Turkey is left out of the abovementioned issues. Or they criticize official Ankara justifiably or unjustifiably on the grounds that they occur outside the country's borders. However, what has happened still confirms that they made false allegations. On February 3, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again visited Kyiv after two years and we will discuss Turkish-Ukrainian relations and Turkey's role in resolving tensions between Ukraine and Russia. During the visit, the two countries signed agreements in the economic, trade, finance, science, and defense sectors. The agreement on the establishment of a free trade zone was approved by the relevant ministers. Turkey aims to increase trade turnover with Ukraine to $20 billion. At present, this figure totals $7.4 billion. Under current circumstances, they want to increase the figure to $10 billion through the Free Trade Zone. An agreement has been reached to open the Turkish Consulates General in Lviv and Kharkiv. Ukraine is planning to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey and co-produce them. Ukraine also wants to acquire Bayraktar drones, which played an invaluable role in the liberation of Azerbaijani lands. In this regard, Turkey, as one of the countries selling arms, does not want to miss the Ukrainian market. This does not have a significant impact on relations with Russia. For comparison, during the 44-day war, Russia, France, and others helped Armenia with military equipment, weapons, and missiles. Even Russian-made missiles hit Azerbaijani regions far from the main theatre of war. In this regard, any state has a sovereign right to strengthen its own defense capabilities. Ukraine also enjoys this right.

Ukraine is working to join NATO. Turkey is one of the most influential and powerful countries of the military alliance. In this regard, Ankara and Kyiv have common interests in this direction. There are Turks in Ukraine’s Crimea, which has now been annexed by Russia. They are natives of the peninsula. Due to Ukrainian-Russian relations, many Crimean Tatars - Turks have left the peninsula. Publicly active Tatars of the region are persecuted and come under pressure. Given that human rights are not an internal affair of a state, then Turkey's protection of the rights of its compatriots should be welcomed. Therefore, one of the issues on the agenda of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit was to get acquainted with the situation of the Crimean Turks. Turkey and Ukraine share a border via the Black Sea. In other words, they are also responsible for the safety of this basin. In this regard, both countries are interested in ensuring the security of the Black Sea and its shores. Ukraine and Turkey have extensive cooperation in the tourism sector, and the parties are planning to develop it. Turkey recognizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It supports the restoration of the violated rights of the neighbouring state. This is one of the factors that bring the two countries closer. We tried to show the reasons for official Ankara's activity in this direction by listing some of the common interests of Ukraine and Turkey.

Russian-Turkish relations have also developed over the past 10 years. Turkish businessmen are investing in the construction and light industry in Russia. Citizens of Russia prefer to rest in Turkey. Cooperation between the two countries in the field of military equipment and nuclear technology also indicates the breadth of the relations. Turkey has been subject to restrictive measures by the United States and other NATO allies over its purchase of a Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. With this step, official Ankara has proved to Moscow that it is a reliable partner. Turkey and Russia have a series of common positions on Syria. Especially in Idlib, the parties are trying to coordinate their steps. Turkey's trust in the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant to Russian experts stems from the confidence between the parties. One of the common denominators connecting the two countries is the Turkish Stream gas project. This pipeline starts in Russia and is transmitted to Turkey via the Black Sea. Turkey and Russia also have common interests in the South Caucasus. This is confirmed by Moscow's support for the realization of the Zangazur corridor, the cooperation in the 3+3 format, the process of normalization of the relations between Turkey and Armenia. Turkey buys oil from Russia. In February 2021, Turkey imported the lion’s share of petroleum from these countries: 737,593 tons from Iraq, 537,194 tons from Russia, and 433,456 tons from Kazakhstan. As can be seen from the Turkish-Ukrainian, Turkish-Russian relations, both countries are close to Turkey. The main issue here is official Ankara's approach to the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. This problem is the key outcome of the conflict. Turkey says it is ready to meet with the parties separately to address this problem and then host a common meeting of the conflicting parties in Turkey.

However, compared to the United States and its allies, Turkey has less chance of influencing Russia. But the trust between Ankara and Moscow in each other is different as against others. In this regard, Russia can accept Turkey's proposals. With this step, Moscow also shows that it is more useful to resolve regional conflicts with the cooperation of regional states. However, Russia's attitude towards Ukraine's territorial integrity does not yet meet international standards. Moscow's refusal to back down makes it necessary for other countries of the Black Sea region to take care of their security.

Finally, Turkey's attempt to mediate between Ukraine and Russia would serve to reduce the threat of war in the region. As a NATO member, Turkey is close to both countries and all the parties in this matter. Neither NATO nor the European Union can hardly find another unbiased state that is so close to Russia and Ukraine. Therefore, a more realistic assessment of this opportunity by Russia would be conducive to the benefit of all parties. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit was pivotal in terms of serving regional peace and security. As a NATO country, Turkey protects the interests of Russia and Ukraine, as well as of the West and the East with its conciliatory stance.