Turkey's dual role: Arming Ukraine while seeking peace
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with Turkey's "Hurriyet," expressed surprise that Turkey continues to send weapons to Ukraine. This raises eyebrows in Moscow, especially since Ankara wants to be a mediator in the ongoing conflict.
8:17 AM EDT, November 1, 2024
Many reports by Russian media or representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
During the conversation, Lavrov did not hide his dissatisfaction with Turkish-Ukrainian cooperation in the "military-technical sphere." He added that Turkish weaponry is being used by Ukrainian armed forces to kill "Russian military and civilians."
Lavrov stated that this situation is surprising, considering Ankara's desire to mediate between the conflicting parties.
Turkey strives to maintain good relations with both Moscow and Kyiv while working on efforts to export Ukrainian grain. Despite providing military and political support to Kyiv, it opposes Western sanctions against Moscow. Since the beginning of the invasion, the Ukrainian army has been using Turkish Bayraktar combat drones.
Ankara as a Mediator?
The proposal from Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Ankara to serve as a negotiation platform between Russia and Ukraine has met with mixed reactions. Although Turkey is closely tied to Russia, it must also manage its relations with the West, presenting a significant tactical challenge.
