Fidan, attending the NATO meeting: The Russia-Ukraine war is spreading. But the EU, which has expectations from Türkiye, is hostage to Southern Cyprus. (Photo: X/MFA)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that the Russia–Ukraine conflict is spreading to a wider region, calling the trend “deeply alarming.” Speaking after the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Ukraine in Brussels on December 3, Fidan said the European Union’s expectations from Ankara are being “held hostage” by the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Fidan also noted recent Ukrainian attacks on ships trading with Russia inside Türkiye’s exclusive economic zone and said Ankara is coordinating Black Sea security with NATO and EU members Bulgaria and Romania. “The geography of the war is expanding. This is very frightening,” he said.
The same day, Türkiye announced the sale of the TCG Akhisar corvette—commissioned into the Turkish Navy in late 2024—to Romania for €265 million. The deal marks Türkiye’s first warship sale to an EU and NATO member.
Escalating Tensions Ahead of NATO Summit
The Brussels meeting, the last regular gathering of NATO foreign ministers before the July summit in Ankara, came as tensions between Russia, the EU, and Ukraine hit new levels. During the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace plan, saying Moscow does not seek war with Europe but is ready if Europe wants one.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte responded that the alliance would not back down, pledging continued military support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. He expressed confidence that Putin would “eventually make concessions.”
Rutte also said Russia is sustaining its war effort with support from China, Iran, and North Korea. Noting China’s growing military power, he suggested that if Beijing moves against Taiwan, Xi Jinping could ask Putin to “keep Europe occupied.”
Türkiye Seeks Movement on EU Files
Rutte pointed to the rapid expansion of Türkiye’s defense industry—now exceeding 3,000 companies—as part of the deterrence Europe needs. Yet Türkiye remains excluded from the EU’s €150 billion SAFE security program due to opposition from Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration, backed by France.
Fidan said Ankara expects progress on suspended political dialogue, EU accession talks, and visa liberalization, as well as support for Turkish concerns over the Russia–Ukraine war, Gaza, and Syria.
A Conflict Moving Closer to Türkiye
As all sides maneuver for advantage, the most tangible reality is that the Russia–Ukraine war is spreading in ways that increasingly threaten to affect Türkiye directly.
