Amid sharp international sorting against the background of the position on the war between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey maintains good relations with both Moscow and Kiev, taking advantage of that to put forward mediation efforts.

Will Turkey succeed in this?

Turkish mediation previously resulted in agreements regarding grain exports and the exchange of prisoners of war in Ukraine.

However, the knot of the chainsaw remains the reduction of escalation and stopping the fighting, even partially, in preparation for an atmosphere that may lead to ending the war and reaching a comprehensive peace agreement.

This Turkish goal faces many complications, perhaps the most important of which is the dominance of the logic of fighting and armament over the course of the crisis.

As Russia escalates its attacks, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office announced his government's intention to deliver 14 Challenger 2 tanks and other heavy weapons to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

In this regard, the strategic expert and political analyst at the "SITA" Research Center, Murad Aslan, said - in his interview with the "Beyond the News" program (15/1/2023) - that the traditional path to resolving any conflict necessarily requires the continuation of international efforts to achieve this.

new opportunity

He explained that what Turkey is offering is not closely related to the course of the field, but it is a new opportunity for both sides to think about a possible solution to the war in Ukraine, although the conditions are not yet ripe to take this step.

He added that ending the war in Ukraine depends on a long path, but the current situation is that the Russian military leadership has changed, and Ukraine is "weak" because it relies on Western support completely, considering that after two months from now the two sides can determine their ability to achieve their military goals. .

On the other hand, the military expert and former British military intelligence officer, Frank Ledwidge, considered that the Western powers view Turkey as a fair and just mediator in this crisis, but the Ukrainian interests do not allow a halt to the fighting, explaining that Kyiv has presented difficult conditions for a ceasefire, and therefore it is not expected that he will obtain Any Turkish offer will impress the Ukrainians, and Russia will not accept their terms.

intransigence of both parties

He also stressed the intransigence of the Ukrainian and Russian sides and their responsibility for the loss of negotiation opportunities between them, indicating that Turkey is moving forward in trying to resolve the crisis despite the intensification of fighting on the ground, explaining that what makes Kyiv reject any cease-fire is that it will serve Russian interests and give it an advantage and progress in the fighting on the ground. Earth.

For its part, the Russian embassy in Britain commented on these developments by saying that the British "Challenger 2" tanks will not help the Ukrainian forces change the situation on the ground, but will become a legitimate target for the Russian forces.

It indicated that sending these tanks would not bring the end of hostilities closer, but rather would contribute to their escalation.

It is noteworthy that the strengthening of the Western military extension in favor of Ukraine is not limited to Britain only. The Wall Street Journal quoted a German official as saying that Berlin will fulfill its pledge to send combat tanks to Ukraine if Western allies join this effort.

For his part, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that he would hold talks during his visit to Berlin on the delivery of German-made tanks.