WSJ: Erdogan is using the invasion of Ukraine for concessions from the West

There is no end to the international publications that underline the tactics used by the Turkish president to take advantage of the unfavorable world developments in order to extract as many concessions as possible from each side.

The latest post comes from the Wall Street Journal and journalist Jared Malsin. The journalist points out that Turkish President Erdogan is using the global effects of the invasion of Ukraine, in order to extract concessions from the West and Moscow and to achieve some of his permanent domestic goals.

Claiming that Sweden and Finland support Kurdish rebels, the Turkish president is blocking the countries’ accession to NATO, while – as the article emphasizes – Erdogan is trying to secure possible passage with the help of the Turkish navy, which transports ships. wheat and food from Ukraine. At the same time, despite US objections, it is threatening to invade the Kurds in northern Syria.

According to the WSJ and journalist Jared Malsin, President Erdogan has been using a specific strategy for more than two decades, which is to exploit crises to create political opportunities and make concessions from both friends and foes, while at the same time using its role in international relations to strengthen its image inside Turkey.

However, it is worth noting that international analysts are increasingly emphasizing the Turkish president’s manipulative behavior, with many arguing that in the long run – although this is a difficult decision in the midst of a period of instability – NATO may have resorted to solution… divorce with Turkey.

However, the WSJ article closes with a statement by Marc Pierini, former EU envoy to Turkey, who says: “There is a perception in NATO circles that Turkey is with us, but only in half.”