The ambassador had plenty of praise for Turkey’s response to Russia’s invasion, saying that “Turkey has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” noting in particular the country’s welcoming of Ukrainian refugees. In a statement provided to The Daily Beast, Flake said “my Embassy team and I engage every day with the Turkish government, as well as the Ukrainian Embassy here, to discuss ways in which we can help Ukraine.” And according to Jeffrey, he is hardly a figurehead in Ankara-the U.S ambassador is a central player in the protocol-focused Turkish government’s diplomatic operations, giving the diplomat unparalleled space to shape high-level discussions between the countries. observers say is critical to turning the tide in Ukraine. An official readout from the White House said that the two leaders “discussed their shared concern about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.” Biden also “expressed appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to support a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.”įlake now has a core responsibility in ensuring the Turkish cooperation that U.S. Later on Thursday, Biden and Erdogan spoke directly by phone. On Thursday, the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers met in the resort city of Antalya for their first face-to-face talks since the war began. Turkey will be at center stage no matter what. Some argue Erdogan has taken a tougher-than-expected line toward Moscow, while others feel that his government is unhelpfully playing both sides. The view on Turkey’s moves, so far, is mixed. ambassador to Turkey in the Barack Obama administration. “It is hard to imagine success for NATO in this crisis without at least diplomatic support from Turkey,” said James F. Now, some experts believe the West’s ability to stymie Russia’s bloody war could hinge on Turkey’s willingness to help.įormer GOP Senator Jeff Flake: ‘I Will Not Vote for Donald Trump’ In 2017, Turkey purchased $2.5 billion worth of missile defense systems from Russia, a move that prompted alarm in Washington and tough U.S. ![]() The two countries now have extensive ties, including in defense. But in recent years, the country’s increasingly autocratic leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has warmed to Putin, despite their historic rivalry in the region. ![]() That decades-old obligation has kept Turkey close to the interests of the U.S. ![]() And if Russia were to attack any NATO member-a prospect that the Ukraine invasion has made gravely real-Turkey would be required to respond with force. Nearly every close observer of the Muslim-majority country of 84 million, split between Europe and Asia, agrees that Russia’s attempt to occupy and control Ukraine has put Turkey in a messy bind.Īs one of 30 European and North American members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance, Turkey is inseparable from the West’s effort to stop the war. But that was months before Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine, immediately making Flake’s already complicated job even more difficult. In his September 2021 confirmation hearing, Flake’s former Senate colleagues warned he had his work cut out for him in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Flake not only had no special expertise in the politics of the region he had never so much as set foot in Turkey. It had been 40 years since a non-career diplomat was selected for this high-profile and sensitive job. ![]() Jeff Flake Shopping Around for a Possible Post-Senate Cable News Gigīut in some corners, the ex-senator’s selection raised eyebrows.
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