Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will build equal relations with Russia if he wins the elections, but with an eye on NATO, Politico reports, citing his adviser Unal Ceviköz.
An adviser to the opposition candidate noted that in relations with Moscow, Kılıçdaroğlu would be reminded of Turkey’s membership in NATO.
“Relations between Turkey and Russia are now rather asymmetric, since Turkey is very dependent on energy imports from the Russian Federation. We will simply highlight the fact that Turkey is a member of NATO, and in our discussions with Russia, we will certainly seek equal relations,” Ceviköz said.
He added that if he wins, the new government will seek to “repair Turkey’s tarnished reputation in the field of human rights” in order to “send a signal” to European countries and unfreeze negotiations on Ankara’s accession to the EU.
Kılıçdaroğlu is the only candidate from the Turkish opposition who will oppose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming elections. Elections will take place on May 14, 2023.
Kılıçdaroğlu has previously stated that Turkey should maintain economic relations with Russia. He noted that at a difficult moment for Turkey, Moscow provided Ankara with the necessary industrial technologies.
At the same time, he said that Turkey runs the risk of becoming energy dependent on Russia, especially after the launch of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is being built according to the Russian project.
Also, in his opinion, Turkey should “strongly support Kyiv”, and Turkey does not need purchases of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, since “it is not clear against whom to use them.” At the same time, he opposed Ukraine’s call to close the passage of Russian warships through the Bosphorus.
