WSJ: Europe turns a blind eye to Erdogan's repression because it needs Turkey

The crisis between Washington and Ukraine's European allies has highlighted the importance of the Turkish defense industry for the continent's security. This is stated in a material by The Wall Street Journal, reports UNN.

Details

The author points out that in the past, Turkey's suppression of democratic opposition would have provoked sharp protests from Europe.

But now, the worst transatlantic rift in generations and a growing threat from Russia outweigh those concerns

It is noted that with the second-largest army in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a powerful defense industry, Turkey is crucial for European security at a time when the administration of US President Donald Trump seeks a broad understanding with the Kremlin and treats its European allies with open hostility.

When European leaders began planning security cooperation without the US after a disastrous meeting at the White House between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Turkish officials took a prominent place. In the new European Union White Paper on Defense, which outlines Europe's massive rearmament, Turkey, along with the UK, Norway, and Canada, was named a key partner in ensuring European security

European countries simply cannot afford the luxury of focusing too closely on the situation in Turkey at home, with an existential threat from Russia and an increasingly hostile Washington, believes Nico Lange, a former senior official at the German Ministry of Defense and a senior fellow at the Munich Security Conference.

"Europeans come from traditions where they imagine themselves as highly moral guys who do the right things only with the right partner based on democracy and a rules-based order. But now, a mature geopolitical approach to security must seek compromises. It is in our interest to work together with Turkey on security

The author summarizes that Europe is turning a blind eye to the repression by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan because it needs Turkey.

Recall

A week after the start of demonstrations in Turkey against the imprisonment of popular Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Turkish opposition is calling for expanded protests to increase pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Istanbul City Council elected an interim mayor. Meanwhile, US authorities have expressed concern over the arrest and mass protests in Turkey.

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