Turkey wants to 'avoid being on Russia’s target list later


The authoritarian, Islamist leader of the Republic of Turkey delivered a shot in the arm to embattled Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin this week, by threatening to block the accession of Finland and Sweden to the NATO military alliance.

Some observers believe Russian influence with Ankara could be one of the factors behind Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s declaration regarding the two Nordic nations, and not just Turkish complaints against them being a kind of haven for Kurdish refugees, which it views as terrorists.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Turkey has not sanctioned Russia, unlike most NATO members who have. It has reportedly become a safe haven for Russian oligarch money and it has already thumbed its nose up to the U.S. when it purchased Russia S-400 air missile defense system which led to U.S. sanctions in 2020.

U.S. officials raised alarm bells that the S-400 deal with Russia could endanger NATO security and jeopardize American-Turkey intelligence sharing.

Marshall Billingslea, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former assistant Secretary General of NATO, told Fox News Digital, "It is important to understand that Turkey is playing the same game today that it is always has played in the region with respect to Turkey taking stances that benefits its own interests and run counter to NATO’s."

He continued that Ankara is an "independent actor and took stances that had benefits for the Russians," Billingslea said. He cited one telling example when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and Turkey closed access to the Black Sea. The closure prevented U.S. naval vessels from aiding Georgia.

However, Turkey’s independence of action also means it delivered drones to Ukraine, the NATO expert noted. The Turks work "to benefit their interests," he said.

Theodore Karasik, a fellow on Russian and Middle Eastern Affairs at the Jamestown Foundation in Washington, told Fox News Digital that Turkey wants to "avoid being on Russia’s target list later."

Erdogan recently announced the return of Syrian refugees living in Turkey back to their country, and Russia’s cooperation is necessary for this due to its strong presence in the Syrian Arab Republic, noted Karasik.

The Turkish and Russian "struggle over shipping issues" could be an additional worry for Erdogan, said Karasik. If the Western powers sanction Russian vessels, Ankara could be confronted with demands to close the vital Dardanelles shipping route to Russia’s maritime industry," he continued.

Karasik added that Erdogan is "using the Finnish and Swedish applications to garner favors from other countries so Turkey benefits in the end."

Erdogan’s efforts to destabilize the NATO alliance gained traction after a segment of the Turkish military launched an unsuccessful coup against him in 2016.


Read more here https://www foxnews com/politics/turkey-russias-secret-weapon-inside-nato

NigerianSage haffa I don cook another fake news o

This is hogwash.
Ankara stance on not supporting countries that sanctioned it to join NATO has nothing to do with Kremlin.

It's not world of A against B.
There are Cs and Ds that just want to do their thing.

Lol
The scared West has started witchhunting Turkey because Finland and Sweden's NATO application will be vetoed by Turkey.

About 5 years ago, the US and Turkey were friends o.


Follow Western media to the detriment of your intellect.

Turkeys decision has got nothing to do with the Kremlin. Turkey has always been like that from day 1, they do what pays them no matter what anybodys has to say.

DoggoneDogg:
Lol
The scared West has started witchhunting Turkey because Finland and Sweden's NATO application will be vetoed by Turkey.

About 5 years ago, the US and Turkey were friends o.


Follow Western media to the detriment of your intellect.

They still are friends. The US still has a nuclear weapon base in Turkey till today.

Finland is supporting Turkey separatist group, that's why Turkey is against them, its payback time

Sweden allows PKK to have bases in Sweden.
A group that is label Terrorists group by Turkish government.

But today Sweden said they will add PKK as Terrorists group on Swedish law.

sunboy:
Turkeys decision has got nothing to do with the Kremlin. Turkey has always been like that from day 1, they do what pays them no matter what anybodys has to say.

Which any sane country should do. Not follow follow

babyfaceafrica:
Which any sane country should do. Not follow follow

Definitely! One unique thing I like about the Isrealis and the Turks.
They will stab you if they have to as long as it’s to their interest… which is the not so good part of it.