Turkey's dual role: Mediator ambitions and arms to Ukraine
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 considering that Ankara wants to be a mediator in the ongoing conflict.
Many of the 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." Turkish weaponry, he added, is used by Ukrainian armed forces to kill "Russian military personnel and civilians."
Lavrov described this situation as "surprising," given that Ankara wishes to mediate between the parties in conflict.
Turkey simultaneously strives to maintain good relations with Moscow and Kyiv, engaging in 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?
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal that Ankara serve as a negotiation platform between Russia and Ukraine has met with mixed reactions. Although Turkey is closely tied to Russia, it must navigate relations with the West, presenting a significant tactical challenge.
