# Turkey's neutral foreign policy stance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-neutral-foreign-policy-stance
> Updated: 2026-09-27T05:32:23.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has articulated a foreign policy strategy for Turkey centered on maintaining neutrality between Eastern and Western power blocs. He emphasized that Turkey should not be forced to choose an axis, asserting that the nation will maintain its NATO membership while simultaneously engaging with various international organizations to serve national interests.

Erdoğan noted that the ‘gravitational center of the world is shifting’ and called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council to reflect changing global power balances. His approach involves deepening ties with China, maintaining dialogue with Russia, and keeping communication channels open with Iran. 

In addition to these diplomatic efforts, Erdoğan is a signatory of a new defense pact in the Middle East, which may facilitate mutual assistance between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. He also advocated for diplomacy to prevent regional tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war from expanding further.

## Claims

- The gravitational center of the world is shifting. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Turkey should not be forced to choose between the West and the East. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Turkey intends to remain in NATO while deepening relations with China. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Turkey maintains an open line of communication with Tehran. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Erdogan is a signatory of a new defense pact in the Middle East. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Erdogan outlines Turkey's neutral stance between East and West

President Erdogan told Newsweek that Turkey will not choose between the East and West, aiming to remain in NATO while deepening ties with China and maintaining dialogue with Russia and Iran.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erdogan-outlines-turkeys-neutral-stance-between-east-and-west

### 2026-09-26: Erdoğan rejects East-West choice for Turkey's foreign policy

President Erdoğan rejected the idea of Turkey being forced to choose between East or West, calling for UN Security Council reform and diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erdoan-rejects-east-west-choice-for-turkeys-foreign-policy

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Cite as: Turkey's neutral foreign policy stance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkeys-neutral-foreign-policy-stance