Robert Ellis
(An analyst and commentator on Turkish affairs. He is also an International Advisor at the Research Institute for European and Studies in Athens)
Copyright: @ 2025 Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr)
Publication date: 19 May 2025
Note: The article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the Research Institute for European and American Studies
Friday’s collapse of the projected peace talks between the two leaders, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, does not conceal the fact there was no problem in agreeing on Istanbul as the venue. This underlines the role that Erdoǧan’s Turkey would like to play as the mediator between East and West.
A recent analysis by Fatih Yurtsever (a pseudonym) in Turkish Minute explores the paradox between Erdoǧan’s role as the mediator abroad and the strongman at home, and concludes: “Whether Erdoğan’s growing international stature can be reconciled with Turkey’s democratic decline — or whether it simply fortifies his grip on power — remains the defining paradox of his leadership”.... Read more