The war demonstrates the importance of the Black Sea Region for all the countries neighboring Ukraine
Based on the materials of the roundtable “Military-Political Alliance of Türkiye and Ukraine as a Factor of Security and Stability in the Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian Region”
For us, Crimean Tatars, the issue of relations and cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine is extremely important. Both historically and especially nowadays, when Türkiye, thanks to the partnership with Ukraine, is fully aware of both its interests and partnership responsibilities. I always pay attention to such a group as PABSEC, where almost all the states of the Black Sea basin are represented. Recently, they have begun to truly realize how important our victory over a common enemy will be, and the pursuit of this victory also unites us all in such a serious cause. We have like-minded friends in Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and other countries with whom we communicate openly. We see that they are well aware of how much their struggle for freedom and for the future depends on our victory over Russia today.
The war has been going on for 11 years… Looking back at the year 2014, we come to the conclusion that Ukraine, unfortunately, has lost many opportunities to defend its independence, independence from Russia.
Today, we have to defend our independence in a real war. And if we talk about the assistance provided by our partners, especially Türkiye, its significant support is not always public. But the way it is helping us today is worthy of gratitude. What do I mean by that? For one, Türkiye has become a platform for our negotiations with Russia. Frankly speaking, when we were considering other countries for this role, I personally insisted on Türkiye because I believed then and still believe now that it would be more effective and pleasant to cooperate with it, because the Turks understand us. Because Türkiye’s interests coincide with ours.
The war has already demonstrated how important the Black Sea basin is for all the countries around Ukraine. In my opinion, making a powerful regional leader like Türkiye an ally is Ukraine’s number one task. I am sure that we will cope with this.
As for the Caucasus, where European countries are located.
In 2014, we, the representatives of the Crimean Tatar people, publicized to the entire European Union that there was destabilization there, that Russia was trying to introduce its new order in the Caucasus. Unfortunately, we were not just not heard, we were ignored…
Today I would like to remind you of another extremely important component – Central Asia. In particular, about Russia’s extremely great influence on the Central Asian regions. I should point out that this influence is a consequence of our failure to finalize our plans there. Because when we talk to representatives of those states, we are convinced that we lack not only attention to them, but also planned, long-term influence.
I am not sure that today I will be happy with what I hear from experts and scholars about the military-political alliance. But I think the very fact that we are talking about it will have a positive impact on our relations with Türkiye. And, of course, such relations will influence other regions.
Today, however, we will say that there is a chance for changes in NATO’s approaches to influencing our regions and Russia in general. In this regard, of course, Türkiye supports our aspiration to become a NATO member. Do you remember last year’s statement by the Turkish President at the Crimea Platform, where he clearly stated what he hoped for from NATO and considered it necessary to invite Ukraine to join NATO?
Thank you once again for the invitation to the roundtable, and I will be happy to listen to all the experts. The Verkhovna Rada today clearly understands how important for Ukraine are our relations with Türkiye.
Ahtem Chiygoz,
Member of Parliament of Ukraine
