ANKARA - BY MIDDLE EAST INSIDER - Oct 17,2023

The Western perception of Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev, has been significantly flawed. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan are strong allies of Ukraine in the Greater Middle East region, unlike many Arab countries and Israel, which tend to adopt ambiguous positions or avoid involvement altogether. Turkey and Azerbaijan share a close military and political alliance, solidified after the 2020 Second Karabakh War. They both have critical stances towards Russia and align themselves with the pro-Western camp: Turkey as a NATO member and Azerbaijan as a non-aligned country that steers clear of Russian-led Eurasian integration projects.

 

The Crimean Tatars, residing in Turkey, have a vested interest in the developments in Russian-occupied Crimea, where racism, Islamophobia, and political oppression prevail. As a powerful anti-Russian lobby in Turkey, they closely monitor the situation in their homeland, which was occupied by the Russian Empire in 1783, leading to an alteration in its ethnic composition.

 

Conversely, Iran has become a staunch ally of Russia in the latter's efforts against the US-dominated unipolar world, aiming to establish a more 'democratic' multipolar world. Iran's collaboration with Russia includes the construction of a facility for building Shaheed drones in Russia, while Turkey is also involved in drone production but in partnership with Ukraine.

 

Western governments have wrongly portrayed President Erdogan as having close ties with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. However, recent events have proven otherwise. Erdogan's actions, such as releasing Ukrainian prisoners of war and expressing strong support for Ukraine's NATO membership, have antagonized the Kremlin, which vehemently opposes Ukraine's entry into NATO and the EU due to fears of losing influence over the country.

 

Turkey has been actively supplying military equipment to Ukraine, including drones, cluster munitions, missiles, and armored vehicles. Moreover, Turkey has offered to escort Ukrainian grain ships through the Black Sea, challenging Russia's perception of the region as a 'Russian lake.'

 

Azerbaijan's strategic importance to Ukraine lies in its resistance to Russian control, its compliance with Western sanctions against Russia, and its refusal to propagate Kremlin's talking points justifying Russia's actions in Ukraine. Additionally, Azerbaijan's energy supply to the European Union contributes to Europe's energy independence from Russia.

 

Furthermore, Azerbaijan provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine, offering free energy for vehicles used in humanitarian missions and supporting Ukraine during the aftermath of Russia's destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

 

In conclusion, Turkey and Azerbaijan have emerged as critical allies of Ukraine, opposing Russian aggression and intervention, supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity, and working towards European energy independence. Their stance challenges Russia's actions and demonstrates their commitment to standing with Ukraine on various fronts, unlike some other neighboring countries.

 

The Western perception of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been flawed. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan are strong allies of Ukraine in the Greater Middle East region, unlike some Arab countries and Israel, which remain neutral or ambiguous in their stance.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have formed a close military and political alliance following the 2020 Second Karabakh War. Both countries are critical of Russia and align themselves with the pro-Western camp, with Turkey being a NATO member and Azerbaijan staying away from Russian-led Eurasian integration projects.

 

Turkey has a significant population of Crimean Tatars who moved there during the nineteenth century after the Russian Empire occupied their homeland in Crimea, leading to changes in the ethnic balance. Crimean Tatars closely monitor the developments in Russian-occupied Crimea, where racism, Islamophobia, and political repression are rampant, and they exert considerable anti-Russian influence in Turkey.

 

On the other hand, Iran has become Russia's ally in countering the dominance of the US-led unipolar world and advocating for a more 'democratic' multipolar world. While Iran collaborates with Russia in building Shaheed drones, Turkey is establishing a facility to produce Bayraktar drones in Ukraine.

Despite misconceptions, President Erdogan's recent actions have defied Western portrayals of him being aligned with Russia's President Putin. Erdogan released Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russian captivity and openly supported Ukraine's NATO membership, much to the Kremlin's dismay, as Russia strongly opposes Ukraine joining NATO and the EU.

 

Turkey has also provided significant military support to Ukraine, including Bayraktar TB2 and Mini-Bayraktar reconnaissance drones, cluster munitions, TRLG-230 Rokestan missiles, Kirpi mine-resistant armored personnel carriers, and COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles. Additionally, Turkey's navy offered to escort Ukrainian grain ships through the Black Sea after Russia refused to extend a UN-Turkish brokered grain deal.

 

Azerbaijan holds strategic importance for Ukraine due to several reasons. Firstly, Azerbaijan is the only South Caucasian state that has successfully resisted Russian control, in contrast to Armenia and Georgia, which are involved in Russian-led integration projects. Secondly, Azerbaijan does not break Western sanctions against Russia, making it an important ally for Ukraine. Thirdly, Azerbaijan does not propagate Kremlin's disinformation about Russia's actions in Ukraine, unlike Armenia and Georgia.

 

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan uphold the territorial integrity of states, including supporting Karabakh as Azerbaijani sovereign territory, and they oppose Russian irridentism and Eurasian integration projects.

They recognize the importance of Europe's energy independence from Russia and provide free energy to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes. Their unwavering support and alignment with Ukraine during critical votes at the UN demonstrate their commitment to countering Russia's invasion and occupation.

 

In conclusion, Turkey and Azerbaijan have shown themselves to be true allies of Ukraine in various crucial areas, fostering a robust and meaningful relationship that counters Russian influence and supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.