Pompeo Questions Turkey's Geopolitical Loyalty at Cyprus Forum
At an economic forum held in Cyprus, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticized Turkey’s current geopolitical choices and defense policies. His remarks focused on Ankara’s shifting orientation, which he argued is increasingly at odds with its NATO commitments.
Concerns Over Turkey’s Dual Alliances
Pompeo voiced serious concern about Turkey’s continued efforts to sustain close relations with both NATO allies and Russia. He described this dual alignment as incompatible with Western security expectations and warned that such a stance undermines alliance trust.
“Western powers have been unsuccessful in persuading Ankara that NATO membership and ownership of Russian weapons represent incompatible positions that compromise alliance security,” Pompeo said.
He emphasized that Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system highlighted these tensions and directly resulted in its exclusion from the US-led F-35 fighter program.
Implications for NATO Partnership
Pompeo’s comments questioned Turkey’s long-term reliability as a Western partner, noting that Ankara’s prioritization of defense and strategic cooperation with Moscow raises doubts about its commitment to NATO values.
Views on the Cyprus Issue
Turning to the unresolved Cyprus dispute, Pompeo suggested that the stagnation in peace efforts primarily stems from Turkish leadership’s approach to the matter.
Author’s summary: Pompeo used a Cyprus forum to challenge Turkey’s balance between NATO loyalty and Russian ties, warning that this approach weakens trust within the Western alliance.