Turkey’s Erdogan says Ukraine deserves NATO membership .Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his belief that Ukraine deserves to become a member of NATO, following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia has stated its close observation of the situation. Zelensky has been visiting NATO countries this week to garner support ahead of an upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania, where the members are expected to reaffirm Ukraine’s eventual membership in the alliance.
Erdogan stated, “Without a doubt, Ukraine deserves to be in NATO.” Zelensky expressed his satisfaction with Turkey’s support for Ukraine’s aspirations during a joint press conference. While in the Czech Republic, Zelensky emphasized the need for a clear signal that Ukraine will be part of the alliance, rather than simply leaving the door open. NATO has an open-door policy, allowing any interested country that upholds the alliance’s principles to be invited to join. However, the accession rules dictate that any existing member state can veto a new country’s membership.
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Some allies, particularly those in Eastern Europe closer to Ukraine and Russia, advocate for a more concrete path for Ukraine to join NATO once the conflict ends. However, others argue that expediting Ukraine’s membership could be seen as provocative, posing significant risks for the alliance, especially if Russia continues to claim Ukrainian territory.
Turkey recently dropped its objections to Finland joining NATO but still opposes Sweden’s entry. Erdogan has emerged as a key mediator between Russia and Ukraine, playing a balancing role since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He facilitated the Black Sea grain deal, which resolved issues related to the wheat supply affected by the invasion, thereby preventing a global food crisis.
The agreement is set to expire soon, and Erdogan signaled his support for its extension, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Turkey next month. Erdogan mentioned that prisoner swaps were a significant topic of discussion, expressing hope for a solution. Zelensky emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the Black Sea region and avoiding “frozen conflicts.”
Ukraine
The Kremlin expressed its interest in the talks between Ukraine and Turkey, noting the constructive and reciprocal relations between Moscow and Ankara. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, commended Erdogan for his role as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting regular communication between Putin and Erdogan.