For a long time, the main characteristic and advantage of the President of Turkey was his ability to maintain neutrality in a polarized world. However, the course has now shifted due to the necessity for economic growth, which has brought an end to years of neutrality.
Pure business
After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Turkey chose not to join the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation. Instead, Turkey undertook the following actions:
– increased the supply of its own products to Russia to help address the significant deficit;
– established parallel import for the Russian Federation;
– expanded the real estate and tourist services market for Russian citizens multiple times.
However, at the same time, there was also a collaboration with the West. This cooperation began with blocking the “Mir” payment system’s cards and ended with the prevention of re-exporting of dual-use goods.
Life after the election
Recently, such a balance has been dictated mostly by the expectations of the electorate. However, after the May elections, where Erdogan won the presidency, it was time for a change.
It is important to address the current economic situation urgently. The bet on Russia has not worked, indicating that the way of development should shift towards the West.
A number of measures have been implemented:
– Turkey has agreed to Sweden’s membership in NATO;
– the invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance has been supported;
– the commanders of the “Azov” battalion were returned to Ukraine despite the agreement with the Russian Federation;
– the weapons are provided for the Ukrainian army;
– the initiative to renew the EU accession process was announced.
Interaction with Russia will not end overnight, but the changes are already so obvious that it is impossible to ignore them.
