Become a non-prayer between two mosques,” is a beautiful expression in Turkish.

It means that those who cannot decide which side to side with become incapacitated.

This saying describes Ankara's attitude towards the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Although Turkey is a member of NATO, it bought the S-400 air defense system from Russia for $2.5 billion.

The missiles are rotting in the hangar due to massive protests from the west, while we sold armed drones to Ukraine in a company owned by Erdoğan's son-in-law for use against the manufacturer of the S-400 system.

In the eyes of some, Ankara's policy looks like balance, but in the eyes of others it looks like acrobatics,

it has now come to a standstill with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The rockets launched by Moscow on February 24 hit not only Ukraine, but also Erdoğan's strategy aimed at taking advantage of the conflict in the balance of power among world powers.

On the Turkish version of the column


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When Russia attacked, Turkey also faltered.

Immediately after the invasion, Erdoğan recommended that NATO take more decisive action against Russia.

On the other hand, the same Erdoğan abstained from voting on the suspension of Russia's membership of the Council of Europe so as not to anger Putin.

In order not to annoy the USA and Europe, he blocked the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles for the passage of Russian warships, reverting to the provisions of the Treaty of Montreux.

As if that weren't enough, he even sent a new batch of Turkish-made drones to Ukraine.

A few days later he sent an unofficial delegation to Moscow.

Palace-made businessman Ethem Sancak, known for his quip "I'm in love with Erdoğan,"

made strange statements like this on Russian television: “NATO wants to overthrow Erdoğan with elections.

We didn't know the armed drones were being used for this purpose.” It's got your head spinning now, isn't it?

Let's pick up the phrase from the beginning: Erdoğan's desire to court both mosques is no coincidence.

As is well known, the occupation of Ukraine threatens the security of Europe and access to energy sources.

These risks also apply to Turkey.

Despite acquiring the S-400 missiles, Turkey is a member of NATO and as dependent on Russia for gas as Germany.

But the crisis also has unpleasant proportions for Turkey and especially for Erdoğan.

Due to the economic crisis, voters are in the doldrums for him, which is why he wants to create a miracle before next year's elections.

But on February 24, Erdoğan presented three more bills: wheat, sunflower oil and tourism.