Turkey Pursues Strategic Autonomy Between NATO and Russia

Turkey is expanding its strategic influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia, emphasizing its hydrocarbon and rare‑earth resources while deepening military and political ties with Moscow. At the same time, Ankara remains a key NATO member, hosting a recent NATO summit in Ankara and receiving signals from the United States, including President Donald Trump's expressed willingness to advance F‑35 sales.

Western governments are trying to draw Turkey onto a unified anti‑Russian front, but the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues an independent policy. It backs Ukraine’s territorial integrity, participates in NATO‑Ukraine meetings, and maintains technical‑military links with Kyiv, yet it has not joined EU sanctions against Russia and keeps substantial trade flows with Moscow. This balancing act positions Turkey as a regional power that can act as a bridge—or a point of friction—between NATO, the United States, and Russia.