Turkey’s relations with Russia, China don’t mean turning its back on the West, Erdogan says

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey's growing relations with Russia and China do not signify a departure from its Western ties. This assertion came as Erdogan returned from a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit in Kyrgyzstan saw Erdogan and Putin discussing enhanced nuclear cooperation.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey's ambition to become a full member of the SCO, a grouping comprising Russia, China, India, and Iran. However, he also made clear that joining the SCO does not entail distancing Turkey from the West.

Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Erdogan expressed hope that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would conclude peacefully. He underscored the necessity for a mechanism to guarantee the safety of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea, a region experiencing increasing attacks on civilian ships. Erdogan suggested that such a mechanism could help prevent the recurrence of the grain crisis.

It's worth noting that Turkey played a crucial role in 2022 by facilitating the delivery of Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilizer via Ukrainian ports. This agreement, brokered by Turkey, was instrumental in maintaining global food supplies, particularly in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.