Turkey and Ukraine Sign Deal Outlining Military and Economic Alliance
Presidents Zelensky and Erdogan are strengthening bilateral relations as Turkey and Russia’s proxy conflict grows. (Wikimedia Commons)
Turkey and Ukraine signed a military cooperation deal during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Ankara, which was presumed to be a response to Russia’s growing dominance in the Black Sea. The two states reached an agreement on trade and economic cooperation and signed a declaration of good will for defense projects.
This meeting was a continuation of the two leaders’ previous meeting at Kiev in February, expanding on details of economic cooperation. During the visit, the two states aimed to double bilateral trade from $5 billion in 2019 to $10 billion in 2020. Leaders also urged for the finalization of a free trade agreement, in negotiation since 2012, to be completed this year.
Ankara and Kiev already closely cooperate on military ventures, as Ukraine purchased several pieces of military equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkey last year. Several Turkish construction companies are already present in Ukraine, and Ukrainian aircraft producers now plan to work with the Turkish industry to produce military aircraft and engines.
Zelensky highlighted the potential for “new opportunities” as a result of this deal, stating, “Cooperation in the defense industry is important for the development of our strategic partnership.” Along with military ties, economic relations between Ankara and Kiev have remained positive amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 500,000 Ukrainian tourists visiting Turkey this summer.
Zelensky further praised Erdogan’s refusal to recognize Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, awarding the Turkish leader with a state medal for supporting Ukraine’s “territorial integrity.” Both states take issue with Russia’s regional presence, and Erdogan stated that “Turkey sees Ukraine as a key country for the establishment (of) stability, security, peace, and prosperity in the region.”
The bilateral discussions come in response to growing tensions between Turkey and Russia due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. While Ankara has supported Azerbaijan, Moscow has a security pact with Armenia. Turkey’s alignment with Ukraine in the issue of the Crimean Peninsula has also made the Turkish-Russian geopolitical rivalry more unstable. As a result, Turkey’s bilateral agreement with Ukraine may constitute a way to counter regional Russian influence.
Ankara and Kiev reiterated the importance of future cooperation, agreeing to work closely together to protect human rights in Crimea during the UN’s 75th General Assembly. Erdogan also restated his support for the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and offered Turkey’s assistance with joint military exercises and meeting relevant criteria for accession.