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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won the second round of the presidential election on Sunday May 28, with 52% of the vote. Vladimir Putin sees in his re-election prospects for strengthening their ties. What role can Erdoğan play in the conflict in Ukraine?
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan triumphed in the Turkish elections on Sunday May 28. THE Turkey’s president derives his strength from his unique relationship with Russia. Russian gas is fundamental for Ankara, and a nuclear power plant has been built by Moscow in Turkey. Erdoğan, re-elected, will not apply economic sanctions against Russia. “Who are you to impose sanctions on Russia?”did he declare.
Erdoğan plays the balancing act
He also plays the tightrope walker with NATO. Turkey is a member of the Alliance, but bought Russian missiles a few years ago. Erdoğan also speaks to Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, to whom he sells combat drones. “Turkey’s foreign policy is notably driven by Turkey’s economic orientation, which is an export orientation, and the Ukrainian market is an important market for armaments”analysis Jean-François Pérouse, geographer and author of Erdogan, new father of Turkey?.
Between Russians and Ukrainians, Erdoğan wants to facilitate. In particular, he sealed the agreement on cereals, and will continue the mediation.