Russia's aggressive principle in the region has angered both the West and Turkey, a leading member of NATO. What happened around Ukraine, in particular, did not skip from the attention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Returning from a visit to Albania, President Erdogan also touched on the issue of Ukraine's territorial integrity in his report to Turkey's state-run TRT channel. The President sent a message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin regarding the events between Ukraine and Russia.
"I sent a message to my colleague and close friend Putin about Russia's intervention in Ukraine. Before taking this step, Russia must analyze the situation in the world and its own situation and understand what consequences could be for Russia. I do not see a real possibility of Russian intervention in Ukraine. It is a strong country," Erdogan said.
In addition, recalling the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Ukraine, Erdogan said he would discuss the results of the visit with his Azerbaijani counterpart:
"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was in Ukraine. I will talk to him. We must erase the war from the history of politics.
Things will not work with the logic of "I will occupy the lands of a country and take them." For example, what Russia did in Ukraine, it took Crimea out of it. I always tell Mr. Putin that we are against the occupation of Crimea."
Addressing the Kremlin with a stern message, the Turkish leader drew the attention of the political audience by sending a message that "we are with Ukraine and the occupation of Ukraine is impossible." This step from Turkey also demonstrated the presence of another NATO force on the front line against Russia.
Political scientist Samir Humbatov, head of the Centre for International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, told EDNews about the president's statement, as well as Azerbaijan's response in support of collaboration.
"Erdogan's message to Putin focuses on two main issues: the first is the impossibility of Russia-NATO confrontation in terms of power balance. Russia will obviously not be able to stand against NATO forces. The other issue between Turkey and Ukraine was an agreement that has been signed on October 16, 2020 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ankara. During Zelensky's visit, a military cooperation has been signed in 21 areas. This means that if Ukraine is attacked by any force, Turkey has an obligation to protect it. Thus, by warning Putin, Erdogan is trying to convey to him the two important messages I mentioned above. Thus, despite Turkey's comprehensive trade and diplomatic relations with Russia, Turkey can also fight with Ukraine if necessary in order to protect its integrity by also fulfilling its obligations as a member of NATO."
The political scientist also spoke about President Erdogan's message of appeal to President Ilham Aliyev.
"Sending this message of President Erdogan to President Ilham Aliyev is a sign of confidence that Azerbaijan will always stand by Turkey. Despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh as an element of pressure, Azerbaijan will again side with its brotherly state. From this point of view, Azerbaijan's position is really one of the most important points.
I think that the recent visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Ukraine in the context of this tension and the fact that he made some statements there can be understood as a sign of clarification of Azerbaijan's stance on this issue."
Elnur Enveroglu
