Cumhuriyet (Turkey): walking a tightrope between Moscow and the West
Turkey cannot afford to side with the West and enter into a confrontation with Russia by joining at least partially the sanctions against it, Cumhuriyet writes. The author notes that Ankara should "get along well" with Moscow. At the same time, he also does not advise swearing with the West.
The crisis and the conflict between the West and Russia in Ukraine, which is drifting in the direction of escalation, puts Ankara in a hopeless position.
It cannot afford the luxury of "taking the side of the West" by entering into a confrontation with Russia and joining the sanctions against it at least partially.
From energy to agricultural products, from a nuclear power plant to good-neighborly relations - we must get along well with Moscow.
Since the founding of the Republic of Turkey, apart from the artificial conditions of the Cold War, relations between Ankara and Moscow have developed well. Strategically, the likelihood of confrontation no longer exists today.
Military, economic, political, cultural and institutional relations with the United States (and the West), especially with NATO, are closely intertwined. There has been a natural integration in all areas since a very long time ago, especially since the time of the Democratic Party of Turkey.
This "natural integration" that has emerged in all areas, from education to the economy, from communication to culture, although we are very well aware of the US policy towards Kurdistan and that the EU will not accept Turkey into its ranks tomorrow, does not allow Turkey to take initiatives "in defiance of the West".
We have inherent ties with both opposing "rivals". In addition, Turkey has been a member of the Council of Europe since its foundation. The European dimension is a mandatory dimension for the entire spectrum of forces within the country - from the left to the right, from liberals to financial circles. This is a deep and essential natural integration, which cannot even be compared with ties with Moscow.
So, Ankara has no way to resist either the West (and the EU) or Russia. Ankara also no longer has the opportunity to "be a supporter" (!), as, for example, during the erroneous policy in Iraq, Libya and Syria. The price we had to pay in these regions for this reason is obvious.
In order not to pay this price in Ukraine, Turkey will benefit the most from the establishment of peace and harmony.
The United States wants to extend to Ukraine the war and crisis that they ignited yesterday in Iraq, Syria and Libya.
The new attacks of the United States (and Biden) are reminiscent of the Middle East of the 1990s and 2000s.
As for the "Turkish front", I wonder if political Islamists and "Westerners" will continue to take the position of "implicit strategic partnership with the United States"?
The amendments made by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of Turkey to the electoral legislation raise questions in this regard.
Will the "mindset" of staying in power "at any cost" prevail or sink deep into history?
Will the Black Sea–Mediterranean axis be turned into a new bone of contention in the region, will Ukraine be used for this?
In Ankara, will national interests and calculations for staying in power be opposed again, as in Iraq, Syria and Libya?
The upcoming elections in Turkey will determine not only the future of the country, but also the future of the entire region.
Erol Manisaly
