Friday, March 29, 2024

Turkey on target to strategic partnership with ukraine

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Strategic partnerships are being established across the Black Sea in an attempt to counterbalance Russia’s influence in the region. Ukraine has been successful in building strategic alliances recently, including with the United Kingdom to combat Russian aggression. The UK offered a $1.72 billion loan to boost Ukraine’s naval capacities with eight missile-equipped drones in October 2020, demonstrating its commitment to Black Sea security.

Relations between Turkey and Ukraine have also strengthened since the Azov Sea crisis, which continues to restrict free navigation in the region. Turkey was already supplying drones to Ukraine prior to the second Nagorno Karabakh war. Following the war, Ankara and Kiev signed a significant military cooperation agreement.

The Georgia-Ukraine strategic partnership, which is focused on trade, security, and Euro-Atlantic integration, has progressed despite interference from former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. Both countries share similar relationships with Russia and the West and have fought for independence from the Soviet Union. They have also been occupied by Russia and are strategic allies of the United States, relying heavily on American support for security.

Trade is a crucial element of the Georgia-Ukraine strategic partnership, and Georgia is an important market for Ukrainian exports. Georgia is a vital transit country for Ukraine to access the Caspian energy market and is one of the freest economies globally. Security is another critical area, and both countries have performed military exercises in the Black Sea region, developing valuable combat experience. They have also signed a bilateral defense agreement focused on fighting against Russian occupation. Euro-Atlantic integration is the third pillar of the partnership, with both countries pushing for EU and NATO membership.

Despite diplomatic obstacles, the Georgia-Ukraine strategic partnership is making a significant difference to Black Sea security. However, Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s border and in the Black Sea underscores the need for greater Western support to counter Russian aggression. Including Georgia and Ukraine in the Three Seas Initiative and the EU’s new cybersecurity center in Romania would be beneficial. Finally, support for Black Sea security is necessary to deter Russian aggression, and Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the UK and Zelenskyy’s Crimea Platform offer promising ways to move away from the ineffective Normandy Format.

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