Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), proposed a Turkey–Russia–China alliance, which he called “TRC,” on September 18 as an alternative to Turkey's NATO-centric foreign policy.
Modern.az reports that Bahçeli claimed this trio would be “the most suitable choice against the US-Israel evil coalition challenging the world.”
However, international relations experts state that such a step does not appear realistic in the near future.
Observers say that Turkey is part of the collective West, and the possibility of forming a new military-political bloc with Russia and China is “far from reality.”
Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952 and possesses the alliance's second-largest army. Furthermore, Turkey's European Union membership candidacy process continues, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan frequently states that EU membership is the country's strategic goal.
The MHP's 2024 program also emphasizes the continuation of NATO alliance and the importance of conducting relations with the US based on mutual benefit.
Turkey's interest in alternative platforms is not new. In 2012, Turkey was accepted as a dialogue partner to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Although the issue of membership in both the SCO and BRICS has been on Ankara's agenda in recent years, these steps are not interpreted as an intention to withdraw from NATO.
According to the common stance of experts, Turkey maintains its strategic importance for both the West and the East. Russia and China view Turkey as a significant player for themselves, even as a NATO member. This further emphasizes the importance of Ankara pursuing a balanced policy.
Elnur Amirov
