Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 7 2023, has expressed his support for Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO while emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul, Erdogan declared that Ukraine unquestionably deserves membership in the Western military alliance. The Turkish leader also called for both sides to resume peace talks, stating that a fair peace would leave no losers. Erdogan’s endorsement comes ahead of the NATO summit scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Grateful for Erdogan’s support, President Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s backing of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He, who has been actively advocating for his country’s NATO membership, has emphasized Ukraine’s critical role as Europe’s last line of defense against Russian aggression. In his efforts to gain support, Zelenskyy recently visited the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria to rally backing for Ukraine’s NATO bid.
During his visit to Prague, he secured a pledge of support for Ukraine to join NATO “as soon as the war is over.” In Sofia, he gained backing for membership “as soon as conditions allow.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also reiterated his belief that Ukraine would eventually become a member. However, the timeline for Ukraine’s accession to the alliance remains uncertain.
While hopes were high for a swift invitation to join NATO, the United States tempered expectations, stating that the upcoming summit in Vilnius would not result in a membership invitation for Ukraine. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that the summit would mark an important step on Ukraine’s path toward membership but acknowledged that further steps must be taken before Ukraine can join NATO. These steps include ensuring civilian and democratic control over the military, a condition emphasized by countries like Germany.
The specific offer Ukraine will receive at the summit remains unclear. Zelenskyy has acknowledged that joining NATO while engaged in a conflict with Russia is unlikely. Erdogan, who has positioned himself as a neutral mediator between Kyiv and Moscow, has significantly increased trade with Russia while also providing Ukraine with drones and other weapons, which helped deter Russian forces from seizing Kyiv in the early stages of the war.
While Erdogan reiterated his call for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, his unequivocal support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations may raise concerns in Moscow. He announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin would visit Turkey next month, where they would discuss possible prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, an issue that Erdogan has previously assisted in resolving. Furthermore, the Turkish president expressed his intention to urge Putin to extend a deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, allowing Ukraine to export grain from Black Sea ports to the global market. The deal is set to expire on July 17 unless Russia agrees to renew it.
As the NATO summit approaches, the question of Ukraine’s membership remains a topic of intense debate among member countries. While there is a consensus that Ukraine deserves to join NATO, conditions and timing continue to be points of contention. For now, Ukraine must navigate the complexities of the conflict with Russia while pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure its place within the Western military alliance.
