Turkey's Role During the Russia and Ukraine War

Abstract

This study aims to examine the national roles Turkey adopted during Russia-Ukraine War. The national role concept was developed in the second half of the 20th century. Holsti carried the concept from sociology to international relations. According to this concept, every state plays a particular role that its leaders specify as appropriate for their countries. Turkiye also played a national role in the international arena during the war between Russia and Ukraine. These roles have been highlighted by their differing political aims. On the one hand, Turkey has desired to repair its political image as “aggressive.” Turkey adopted a mediator-integrator role between Putin and Zelensky. On the other side, Turkey didn't reject its political maneuvers of recent times which formed in trajectory of being “independent” of western or Eurasian oriented policies. Turkey criticized Russia's invasions acts. It also criticized NATO because it ruled out Russia's existential concerns over NATO's plans.