If Russia crushes Ukraine, Caucasus and Türkiye could be next - Ambassador to Türkiye
Nariman Dzhelyal (all photos: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Türkiye cannot consider Russia a strategic ally, because in the event of Ukraine's defeat, it itself will be the next under threat, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Türkiye, Nariman Dzhelyal, said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Dzhelyal believes that Türkiye has the potential for regional leadership, but this is possible only in partnership with other countries – in particular, with Ukraine.
Türkiye positions itself as a regional leader — particularly in the Turkic world — and aspires to a leadership role in the Islamic world as well.
"It understands that leadership is only possible through partnership," the diplomat said.
He emphasized that economic ties may exist between Türkiye and Russia, but not strategic partnership.
Türkiye views Russia as a threat, particularly given its ambitions to dominate the Black Sea region. That's why a partnership with Ukraine aligns with Türkiye's strategic interests.
"If Russia crushes Ukraine, the next targets could be the Caucasus and Türkiye," Dzhelyal explained.
The diplomat recalled that historically, Russia sought to control the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits in order to reach the Mediterranean Sea.
In his opinion, even the temporary closure of the straits by Ankara plays into the Kremlin's hands.
Dzhelyal was convinced that Türkiye's current closure of the straits only contributed to Russia’s aspirations.
According to the ambassador, more and more Turkish politicians are realizing these risks, so Ukraine should not demand open support from Ankara – Türkiye primarily acts in its own interests.
Dzhelyal summed up that if a Turkish politician were honest and objective, he would inevitably come to the conclusion that, on a global scale, Türkiye’s interests — especially in terms of Black Sea security — lay in a close partnership with Ukraine.
Russia's influence in the Caucasus
Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan have significantly cooled. In fact, this means that Moscow no longer has significant influence in the South Caucasus.
In Russia, national minorities, especially Caucasian and Central Asian ones, are perceived as an internal problem.
During a raid in Yekaterinburg on Azerbaijani citizens, excessive aggression was shown.
