# Turkey bilateral defense and diplomatic engagements

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-bilateral-defense-and-diplomatic-engagements
> Updated: 2026-08-24T14:44:12.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions with leaders from Lithuania and Brazil to strengthen bilateral relations and defense cooperation.

In a conversation with Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius, the leaders focused on increasing cooperation across various sectors, with a specific emphasis on the defense industry. Erdoğan congratulated Sinkevicius on his new role and expressed confidence that ties will continue to strengthen. He also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that Turkey is making efforts to ensure a lasting peace, and expressed support for Lithuania regarding its upcoming presidency of the European Union.

Following the recent parliamentary ratification of a Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement, Erdoğan and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have agreed to establish a Strategic Council at the vice-presidential level to deepen bilateral ties. President Lula expressed Brazil’s intention to expand investments in the defense sector and foster partnerships between Brazilian and Turkish companies.

To advance these initiatives, a Brazilian ministerial delegation—including the Ministers of Defense and of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services—is scheduled to visit Turkey. During their discussions, both leaders addressed geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue for peaceful resolutions. Additionally, President Lula accepted Erdoğan’s invitation to attend the COP31 climate change conference in Antalya this November.

## Claims

- Lula and Erdoğan agreed to create a Strategic Council at the vice-presidential level to deepen bilateral relations. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The parliaments of Brazil and Turkey recently ratified a Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- President Lula expressed Brazil's intention to increase investments in the defense sector and foster partnerships between Brazilian and Turkish companies. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- A Brazilian delegation led by the Ministers of Defense and of Development, Industry, and Trade will travel to Turkey. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- President Erdoğan invited President Lula to attend the COP31 climate change conference in Antalya, Turkey, in November. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The leaders discussed global conflicts, specifically the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, emphasizing the need for dialogue to find peace. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Erdoğan and Sinkevicius discuss bilateral ties and defense cooperation

Turkish President Erdoğan and Lithuanian Prime Minister Sinkevicius discussed bilateral ties, defense industry cooperation, and regional issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, via telephone.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erdoan-and-sinkevicius-discuss-bilateral-ties-and-defense-cooperation

### 2026-08-24: Brazil and Turkey agree to expand defense cooperation

Presidents Lula of Brazil and Erdoğan of Turkey agreed to create a Strategic Council and expand defense industry cooperation following the ratification of a new bilateral agreement.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-and-turkey-leaders-discuss-defense-cooperation-and-strategic-ties

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Cite as: Turkey bilateral defense and diplomatic engagements. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-bilateral-defense-and-diplomatic-engagements