The political scientist spoke about the West's attempts to draw Ankara into an alliance against Russia

Political scientist Avatkov: Turkey will have to make a serious choice in the future

Thu, 07/02/2026 - 00:10

Photo: Global Look Press/Belkin Alexey

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The upcoming North Atlantic Alliance summit in Ankara is a demonstration of Turkey's strength, Vladimir Avatkov, head of the Department of the Middle and Post—Soviet East at the INION RAS, Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy at MGLU, said in an interview with Izvestia.

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"[Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is the boss of the situation, he controls the straits, influences the Middle East, balances between Russia and the West. Turkey definitely uses crises to strengthen its position," he explained.

However, Europe's need for Turkish weapons and its "strength" will not bring the republic's European integration closer, the expert said.

"For the West, Turkey will never be Europe, no matter how much it wants it, all its ambitions for European integration are encouraged, in return it only needs to "gift" its sovereignty and become a vassal again," the political scientist stressed.

The United States is not interested in an independent Turkey either, the source added, noting that the United States "needs a country either controlled, or provoking chaos, or as part of an arc of instability."

The West, according to Avatkov, seeks to draw Ankara into an alliance against Russia, which is "being formed in the European Union with Ukraine." So far, Turkey is trying not to become part of someone else's conflict, but the escalation itself is gradually pushing it to choose a side, the expert said. And this choice will be serious and painful.

"Turkey will need to decide whether to remain an independent player in the new world or to be a puppet of the Anglo-Saxons, who will be swept away at any moment. Turkey's famous "multi-shark" will end anyway. Although Ankara stands for the peaceful resolution of disputes, peace and prosperity in the region, it is aware that war is on its doorstep," he concluded.