Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the United States’ approval for Ukraine to use American-made missiles against Russian military targets, calling it a “big mistake” that could escalate the war and bring the world closer to a major conflict. In remarks published on November 20, 2024, Erdogan warned that this policy shift could provoke Russia and have dangerous global consequences.
The US decision to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles marks a significant shift in US policy and has sparked outrage from Moscow. In response, Russia expanded its nuclear weapons policy, warning of a potential nuclear response to airstrikes. This raises fears of further escalation.
Turkey has maintained friendly relations with both Ukraine and Russia, supplying Ukraine with drones but avoiding Western sanctions on Moscow. Speaking after the G20 summit in Rio, Erdogan expressed concerns over the US’s actions.
“This move by President Biden will not only escalate the conflict but could provoke a severe reaction from Russia, pushing the region and the world to the brink of a new global war,” Erdogan said. He warned that the decision could prolong the war and prevent any resolution.
Erdogan highlighted Russia’s recent nuclear policy revision, allowing the use of nuclear weapons in response to airstrikes, even if conventional. He cautioned that any misstep could set off a catastrophic chain reaction. “One small error based on this big mistake could ignite a crisis,” he warned.
The US decision has drawn condemnation from Moscow, while Putin’s nuclear policy was quickly criticized by the US, EU, and UK as “irresponsible.” Erdogan urged NATO to address this shift and carefully review its response.
As a NATO member with both Ukraine and Russia as neighbors, Turkey called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Erdogan emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations with both nations and expressed hope for a peace deal soon.
Since the conflict began, President Putin has used increasingly aggressive nuclear rhetoric, raising concerns about global security. Erdogan’s comments underscore the urgent need for careful diplomacy to avoid further escalation.
