Turkey: Choosing between Ukraine and Russia?

The Turkish government has been maneuvering between supporting Ukraine and maintaining agreeable relations with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.

On the one hand, Turkey has closed the passage of Russian warships to the Black Sea and expressed support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The country also provided Ukraine with crucial military aid in the first days of the full-scale invasion, supplying the Armed Forces with Bayraktar drones that helped Ukraine stop Russian progress in the initial stages of the Russian offensive.

On the other hand, the country criticizes the West and conducts a dialogue with Moscow. It has not joined the sanctions against Russia, disregarding them as a foreign policy tool altogether. Russia-Turkey economic and trade relations have only intensified since February 2022.

So how should Turkey’s position be approached in regard to the Russia-Ukraine war? We take a comprehensive look in this issue of Ukraine In Flames.


UKRAINE IN FLAMES project is created by Ukraine Crisis Media Center and NGO “Euroatlantic Course”. We are aiming at searching a loud support for Ukraine in the war started by Russia on the 24th of February 2022.

If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraine.

NGO Euroatlantic Course collects donations to support Ukrainian Army and civilians – https://eac.org.ua/en/main-page/.

How you can help Ukraine against Russian aggression:

👉🏻 Come back alive – https://bit.ly/3Ct6O2L (works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics etc); 

👉🏻 CO Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation – https://bit.ly/3Svas1G (purchases supplies for Ukrainian army, such as armor, ammunition, first-aid kits, cars and ATV, humanitarian aid for civilians, and food for animals);

👉🏻 UNITED 24 – https://bit.ly/3M2mXiT (was launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Funds will be transferred to the official accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine and allocated by assigned ministries to cover the most pressing needs)

👉🏻 Army SOS – https://bit.ly/3UYK168 (manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. and delivers all goods directly);

👉🏻 Vostok SOS – https://bit.ly/3Ruut75 (raising funds for various needs of the army);

👉🏻 Phoenix Wings – https://bit.ly/3RvWSd0 (the appropriate equipment & uniform, personal non-lethal protection (vests, helmets), required treatment of the wounded soldiers, and repair of the buildings used by the army).