The West has ignored Turkey for too long

Nothing has recently challenged the West as strategically as the attack on Ukraine. But the Western alliance proved to be steadfast and – at least as far as the NATO allies are concerned – acted surprisingly united. That is now changing with the Turkish President’s threat to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO. The reason: Both countries would support rebel groups that are considered terrorist organizations in Turkey.

A Turkish veto would not only jeopardize the security of the two Scandinavian countries, but would also be an unexpected gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This begs the question: on whose side is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose policy on Russia is not free of contradictions?

Turkish drones kill Russian soldiers, but Ankara does not support sanctions against the Kremlin. Turkey blocks the Bosphorus for Russian warships, but Finland and Sweden should not join NATO.