Turkey's Shifting Foreign Policy: Balancing Economy and Western Alliances

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has shifted his foreign policy towards Western allies, pleasing the US but upsetting Russia, in an effort to reverse Turkey's economic downturn and attract foreign investment. This change in stance includes allowing Sweden to join NATO and expressing support for Ukraine's NATO membership. The move is seen as a rebalancing act to improve the economy and investment flows, as strained ties with the West have dampened Turkey's economic prospects. However, this shift may strain Turkey's relationship with Russia, which has been important for trade and tourism. Erdoğan's ties with Putin have also played a role in diplomacy surrounding the war in Ukraine, but the future of their relationship remains uncertain.