EU finds strategic partner for postwar Ukraine — Politico
Photo: The EU has found a strategic partner for post-war Ukraine (Getty Images)
Against the backdrop of intensified peace talks in Ukraine, the EU sees Türkiye as a potential peacemaker and regional mediator in the Black Sea region. Brussels is now taking its first steps in relations with Ankara, Politico reports.
EU recognizes Türkiye's strategic role
Brussels recognizes Türkiye's strategic role, but at the same time is moving cautiously toward rapprochement with it. The reason is the country's departure from democratic standards and repression against political opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In order to soften relations, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will visit Türkiye on Friday. On the eve of the trip, she told the agency that the possible end of the war in Ukraine will change the security realities in Europe, especially in the Black Sea region.
"Peace in Ukraine will change the realities in Europe, especially in the Black Sea region. Türkiye will be a very important partner for us," Kos says.
She also stresses that preparing for peace and stability in Europe requires the formation of a strong partnership with Ankara.
WhyTürkiye is important
Türkiye has the second-largest armed forces in NATO and occupies a key strategic position between Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Control of the Bosphorus gives Ankara significant influence over regional security.
In addition, Türkiye played a key role in brokering the Black Sea Grain Agreement in July 2022, which ensured the safe export of Ukrainian grain by sea.
Türkiye has also stated its willingness to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if an agreement is reached with Russia, and that it will take a leading role in ensuring security in the Black Sea.
EU seeks to restore ties
However, relations between the EU and Türkiye have deteriorated in recent years, aided by the transition to autocracy and repression of the opposition. Although Türkiye is officially a candidate for EU membership, negotiations have been frozen since 2018.
However, the change in geopolitical and trade relations initiated by US President Donald Trump may bring Europe and Türkiye closer together again.
"The world is changing and history is accelerating. Türkiye-EU relations also need to adapt. The way these relations can become stronger is by building on mutual interests," the agency quotes Turkish Ambassador to the EU Yaprak Balkan as saying.
The EU does not yet plan to restart EU membership talks. However, Kos said that "we need to look with fresh eyes at our relations" with this country.
"My visit to Ankara ... is about rebuilding trust and exploring how we can make our economic relationship work better for both sides," she says.
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi
Yesterday, February 5, the second round of trilateral talks on ending the war involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US ended in Abu Dhabi.
The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, who is part of the Ukrainian delegation, said in a comment to RBC-Ukraine that the talks were really constructive.
The first round of such negotiations took place in the UAE on January 23-24. At that time, the parties did not disclose the results of the meeting publicly.
Sources at RBC-Ukraine reported that progress had been made in the military bloc. This concerned the possible withdrawal of forces, mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire, and the creation of a coordination center.
At the same time, the key territorial issue remains unresolved. Russia insists on its own demands, while Ukraine refuses to make any concessions.
