Turkey keeps Russian partnership despite NATO summit push

After the NATO summit in Ankara, Western allies reported improved ties with Turkey, yet Ankara’s economic dependence on Russia remains strong. In 2024, Russia supplied roughly half of Turkey’s oil imports, over 40% of its gas and diesel, and generated significant tourism revenue, with nearly seven million Russian visitors expected in 2025. The Kremlin views this dependence as a barrier to any fundamental re‑orientation of Turkey toward the West.

Concurrently, NATO agreed on an Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI) that will employ artificial‑intelligence‑driven sensor networks, drones and command centres to deter Russian aggression along the alliance’s 4,000‑km eastern border, from Finland to the Turkish Black Sea coast. The initiative is described as “deterrence by prevention” and will complement, not replace, conventional forces. Romania is slated to play a key role in expanding Black Sea security and surveillance under the new program.