On August 24, Ukraine celebrated 31 years of independence, this day coincided with six months of the Russian invasion of this country. This war on the edge of Europe crippled a country that was in full economic development, changed the destinies of the people of both countries involved in the conflict, and led to a reset of the international agenda of several countries and international institutions. Undoubtedly, the war in Ukraine, on the one hand, is a generator of economic instability on an international scale, deepening the humanitarian crisis, but on the other hand, it represents an excellent opportunity for some countries to polish their image at the international level and regain their lost prestige. One of these countries is Turkey. From the very beginning of the war, the Turkish authorities condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and emphasized that it supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. At the same time, Turkey declared that it is ready to act as a mediator in this armed conflict, and subsequent meetings of the delegations of Russia and Ukraine on the territory of Turkey are a confirmation of this. And countries like Israel or China have shown their willingness to act as a mediator in this conflict, but Turkey seems to have taken the stage of negotiations and discussions about a possible peace. Many wonder why Turkey plays such an active mediating role in this conflict? Why does the Turkish president use such a mediation policy? The rise of Turkey’s foreign policy is due to several factors, which I will explain below.

One of the reasons (which I personally consider the most important) will be increasing prestige and international status Turkey as a country. Turkey borders Ukraine and Russia by sea. All these countries are very important players in the Black Sea region. On the one hand, Turkey condemned Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, and on the other hand, it did not join the sanctions imposed against Russia by the USA, the EU, and Asian countries. In addition, Turkey has provided military support and continues to supply weapons to Ukraine. In this war, Turkey has a unique historical opportunity to manage this Black Sea conflict and diplomatically control the actions of the warring parties. After the start of the war in March, Turkey organized two meetings of the delegations of Ukraine and Russia. The latter called the signing of an agreement on unblocking grain exports between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul in July in the presence of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “product” of successful diplomacy in Ankara. Undoubtedly, this agreement is a real diplomatic victory, as a global food crisis has been avoided. At the same time, the deal has improved Turkey’s international image as well as the Turkish president domestically, a real advantage that will certainly be used in Turkey’s general elections next year. Recently, the Turkish president personally met with President Zelenskyi in Lviv. The Turkish delegation was represented not only by the president and 5 Turkish ministers, but also by Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of the Turkish company Baykar, the manufacturer of the famous Bayraktar drone, which gained popularity in this war against Russian aggression. A Turkish company is going to build a factory for the production of drones on the territory of Ukraine.

Turkey’s geographical position is one of the criteria that dictates the steps Turkey should take in this armed conflict. According to Article 19 of the Montreux Convention, Turkey controls the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits and in the event of an armed conflict can restrict the passage of warships of belligerent states through these straits, which it did shortly after the war began. This decision of the Turkish state became a headline in the international press. Due to its geographical location on the world map, historical past and socio-cultural heritage, the correct foreign policy that Turkey should pursue should be multi-directional and multi-dimensional. Here we should also mention the policy of “zero problems with neighbors”, mastered by former Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (who is now the general president of the non-parliamentary opposition party Future Party – Gelecek Partisi). manyţFor years in a row, this doctrine was in a lethargic state, therefore it was not effective, on the contrary, problems with neighboring states were clearly multiplying, Turkey chose another doctrine with a very suggestive name – “precious solitude”. ” (tr. In the context of the war in Ukraine, we can say approxthe doctrine of “zero problems with neighbors”. reanimated, targeting not only the Black Sea basin, but also countries such as Syria, Armenia, Israel, Egypt or the United Arab Emirates, countries with which Turkey, for various reasons, has not had a constructive diplomatic dialogue for several years. line. The wrong foreign policy towards these states has led to Turkey’s regional and international isolation, which is at least what a state that wants to be a real regional power can wish for.

Another reason for the massive involvement of Ankara’s diplomacy in resolving the conflict in Ukraine purely economic. Russia is the largest supplier of gas to Turkey, about 60% of gas is imported from Russia. According to the results of the meeting between Erdogan and Putin on August 5 in Sochi, the doubling of the volume of oil sales to Turkey was established. Russia is building the Akkuyu power plant on the territory of Turkey, the first nuclear power plant located in the city of Mersin, which will provide 10% of Turkey’s electricity. But it should be noted that all works, from construction to operation, from fuel supply to management, are one hundred percent owned by Russia, and this is a factor that will increase Turkey’s energy dependence on Russia. Russia is one of Turkey’s largest trading partners and the country that sends the most tourists to Turkey. Economic relations with Russia are based on what experts call “asymmetrical interdependence” with Russia. In addition, Turkey is an energy corridor for Russian gas, read more at Contributors.ro