Turkey had developed good relations with both Russia and Ukraine by following a balanced policy towards the Black Sea since the late 1990s, and Turkey’s good relations with both countries allowed Ankara to mediate in conflict situations. However, the increasing weight of the West, especially the USA and England, weakens Turkey’s position.
PERSONAL POLICY
The response from Kiev to Turkey yesterday is an example of this. The mediation proposal, which President Tayyip Erdogan repeated during his visit to Ukraine last week and two days ago, was considered Erdogan’s personal policy in Kyiv administration circles. When asked about this subject, Ukrainian Presidential Office Advisor Mihaylo Podolyak said that Erdogan is “extremely smart”, not only to win next year’s presidential election and overcome the economic crisis in his country, but also to become a leader not only a regional leader, but a leader that the whole world considers. He replied that he intended to come. That is, he politely considered the attempt to mediate as his “personal policy”.
After Erdogan’s visit last week, some Ukrainian experts accused Turkey of being too close to Russia, while others commented that “Turkey is our strategic partner, but we need to see it act in its own interests”; Ignoring that Britain and the US have their own interests.
As Ukraine achieves successes in the war with weapons purchased from the West, and as Britain and the United States raise expectations in Ukraine, their approach to the war is also changing. At the beginning of the war, Ukraine was the party that most warmly approached the mediation proposal, but today the situation is very different.
HOLIDAY IN THE 6TH MONTH OF THE WAR
Today, exactly six months have passed since Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Today is also the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence. However, Ukraine banned ceremonies and mass events, fearing that Russia might launch a missile attack. Kyiv celebrates its independence anniversary under intense security concerns. In addition, the US Embassy in Kyiv urged its citizens to leave the country, stating that Russia’s attacks pose an ongoing threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure.