Erdogan's double game: "It says nothing about our relations with the West"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek. In recent days, he held a series of meetings, including with Vladimir Putin, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Alexander Lukashenko. According to the Turkish leader, this does not impact his close relations with Western countries.

Erdogan rejects claims that his country's rapprochement with Russia, China, and Iran comes at the expense of its relations with the West. He insists that Turkey is not moving away from its traditional partners, even as it deepens ties with Washington's greatest rivals. Erdogan made these remarks on Wednesday while returning from the SCO summit held in Kyrgyzstan.

During the summit, Erdogan met personally with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss, among other things, deepening cooperation in the nuclear field. He also held talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In comments provided to journalists on the presidential plane, Erdogan reiterated Turkey's ambition to become a full member of the SCO. The organization currently includes ten countries, including Russia, China, India, and Iran.

"I want to emphasize in particular that the possibility of Turkey becoming a member of the organization does not mean leaving any bloc or turning our back on the West," he stated.

Turkey is a member of NATO alongside the USA and most European countries, maintaining the largest army in the alliance after the USA. Erdogan's ongoing rapprochement with Russia, China, and Iran comes at a time when Ankara is determined to receive approval from Washington to purchase advanced F-35 aircraft.

An organization as a counterweight to the USA

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established in 2001. Its members include Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. The organization is presented as a counterweight to the global influence of the USA, although its long-term goals remain vague.

In recent years, Turkey's geopolitical status has strengthened significantly. The country has become a key mediator between Russia and Ukraine, particularly regarding security in the Black Sea. Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, he has frequently praised Erdogan for their extensive personal relationship, labeling Turkey an important US ally. On the European stage, Erdogan's authority has also risen against the backdrop of an arms race, fears of conflict with Russia, and the need to strengthen NATO. Under these circumstances, Europe often overlooks Erdogan's domestic policies, the persecution of the opposition, and the damage to democratic institutions in Turkey, in an effort to keep Ankara as a partner in ensuring the continent's security.