ISTANBUL: During a recent interview with US broadcaster PBS, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his trust in Russia’s reliability, stating that he places the same level of trust in Russia as he does in Western nations.
This statement comes in light of his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where discussions primarily revolved around the Black Sea grain deal, which Russia withdrew from in July.
Erdogan clarified that, although he was unable to persuade Putin to reinstate the Black Sea grain deal, he did secure a commitment from Russia to supply 1 million tons of grain to Africa. He emphasized his trust in Russia, affirming, “I have no reason not to trust them,” during the interview held in New York, where he was attending the U.N. General Assembly.
Comparing Russia’s reliability to that of Western nations, Erdogan stated, To the extent the West is reliable, Russia is equally reliable. For the last 50 years, we have been waiting at the doorstep of the EU and, at this moment in time, I trust Russia just as much as I trust the West.
Turkey has maintained close relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the ongoing 19-month war. Last year, Turkey and the U.N. facilitated a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be safely shipped from its Black Sea ports, contributing to mitigating a global food crisis. However, Moscow withdrew from this agreement two months ago, citing a lack of compliance with a parallel deal related to foodstuff and fertilizer exports.
Erdogan’s visit to New York follows his recent re-election, extending his 20-year rule for another five years. This renewed mandate has shown signs of improved relations between Ankara and the West. Erdogan indicated a potential revival of Turkey-European Union relations during an event, expressing a commitment to revitalizing Turkey’s EU accession process.
Moreover, the Turkish leader hinted at improved ties with Washington, mentioning progress in discussions regarding Sweden’s NATO membership application and a potential deal to supply Turkey with F-16 fighter jets. He expressed satisfaction with the evolving cooperation with the U.S. and highlighted efforts to resolve past deadlocks, culminating in plans for further talks based on a positive agenda.
It’s noteworthy that Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO members yet to approve Sweden’s bid for NATO membership, a decision prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This issue is scheduled for debate in the Turkish parliament upon its return from recess next month.
