Turkey’s Pivot West Disrupts Relations With Russia

Source:Jamestown Foundation Date:03Aug2023

This shift in the defense partnership between Ankara and Kyiv has left Moscow with little room for maneuver, with Lavrov’s recent complaints to Fidan regarding the “destructive implications of Turkey’s continuous arms supply to Ukraine” highlighting the growing tensions between the two sides (RBC, July 10).

Notwithstanding Russia’s harsh criticism, Turkey appears to be quite at ease with the new geopolitical conditions, wherein Moscow’s influence is limited and relations with NATO are gradually normalizing. Moreover, the Kremlin will likely continue its partnership with Ankara despite the Turkish government’s strong commitment to Ukraine, considering that Turkey maintains the position as Russia’s top economic and energy partner. Therefore, moving forward, relations between Ankara and Moscow will largely be characterized by pragmatic diplomacy amid uncertainty while avoiding public debates regarding the war in Ukraine.