Skip to main content

Turkey, Russia tread cautious line over Ukraine

As the conflict between Russia and the West heats up, Ankara and Moscow are finding their neighborly relationship ever more challenging to maintain.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi February 7, 2014. REUTERS/Alexei Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/Kremlin (RUSSIA  - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX18C9Z
Read in 

Turkey is on edge as developments in Ukraine continue to unfold and escalate dangerously in ways that point to a serious crisis between Russia and the West, one reminiscent of the Cold War. Ankara finds itself caught in a delicate situation between its commitments toward NATO allies and responsibilities in the Black Sea toward Russia as a result of the Montreux Convention, which regulates traffic in the Turkish straits.

While refusing to accept Russia’s fait accompli in Crimea, which is also home to a large community of Turkic Tatars traditionally wary of Russian intentions, Ankara has generally been mute in its criticism of Moscow in comparison with its NATO allies.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.