Nato Tensions Rise As Turkey Stakes Claim On Strategic Alliance With Europe

Turkey’s relationship with NATO allies has been on full display in recent months, showcasing both cooperation and tension within the increasingly interconnected security landscape. As the NATO summit in Ankara approaches, experts say that Turkey’s ties with European NATO members are strengthening due to shared interests and strategic priorities.

Turkey’s role as a key player in the South Caucasus region has emerged as a major power broker, given its geographical position bordering both Europe and the Middle East. This makes it an increasingly important partner for NATO, which seeks to bolster its southern flank and secure the Black Sea.

“Turkey’s relationship with NATO is arguably in a stronger position than it has been for several years,” says Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow for Middle East security at RUSI. “European allies are recognizing that strengthening NATO’s southern flank, securing the Black Sea, and managing crises across the wider neighborhood are central to allied security. Turkey is well-positioned to contribute across all three.”

One notable example of this growing cooperation is Turkey’s support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Ankara has provided significant military assistance, including Bayraktar drones that have played a key role in Kyiv’s defense efforts. This support has been critical in helping Ukraine develop its own drone industry and ensuring the continued flow of grain into global markets.

Preventing Russian warships from entering the Black Sea is a priority issue for NATO. Turkey’s support has been instrumental in achieving this goal, reflecting a broader shift in NATO’s priorities.

However, tensions remain between Turkey and other NATO members, particularly Greece. The two countries have a long-standing dispute over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, leading to periodic tensions between Ankara and Athens.

Ankara’s acceptance of Russian air defense equipment has raised eyebrows among some NATO allies, who have expressed concerns about its implications for collective security. In 2019, Turkey was expelled from the US-led F-35 program after purchasing Russian-made radars. The US and Turkey have since engaged in talks aimed at resolving this issue.

Turkey’s primary objective today is increasingly to develop its own indigenous capabilities, such as the KAAN fighter jet. The F-35 issue remains politically and strategically much heavier, but it does not appear to be their top priority.

Signs of enhanced industrial cooperation between Turkey and European allies would demonstrate a deeperening of ties between the two parties. Consideration of deeper defense-industrial cooperation agreements could be seen as a major signal from Ankara that its stature within the alliance is growing.

“The sector has evolved rapidly across advanced aerospace, naval systems, missiles, electronic warfare, space technologies, and next-generation combat aircraft,” Ozcelik notes. “If we see a greater emphasis on integrating Turkey into long-term capability planning and European defense-industrial cooperation, that would be a strong indication of its influence within the alliance.”

Ultimately, the relationship between Turkey and NATO allies will depend on how effectively both parties can navigate their competing interests and diplomatic sensitivities. As the summit in Ankara approaches, analysts say it is crucial for both sides to recognize the importance of cooperation and collaboration in addressing shared security challenges.

“The ties that bind us are stronger than ever,” Ozcelik says. “But we must be willing to adapt and evolve to meet the changing landscape of global security.”

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