The Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Preliminary Reflections on Turkey’s Policy

German Marshall Fund of the United States, June 06, 2014

Saban Kardas *

Turkey realizes that the Russia-Ukraine crisis has to be dealt with through the involvement of the major powers, and it is acting accordingly. Turkey has warned against the “domino effects” of the Crimean crisis, reflecting its deep fears that the crisis might inflame other frozen conflicts in the region. Though objecting to the Russian annexation of Crimea, Turkey has stopped short of actions that may lead to severing of the political ties, and it is realistic to expect the same approach to continue to prevail. However, Turkey will not simply appease the Russian moves. Rather, it will seek to work out its differences through bilateral channels.

* Dr. Şaban Kardaş is an associate professor of international relations and is the department chair at the Department of International Relations at TOBB University of Economics and Technology in Ankara. He is also the president of the Ankara-based think-tank, ORSAM.

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