First, Türkiye has achieved its goals and obtained the expected benefits. When Finland and Sweden announced that they would give up their neutral status and seek to join NATO, Turkey, a member of NATO, was the first to express its opposition. Erdogan made it clear that countries that harbor terrorism cannot be allowed to join NATO, so Turkey firmly opposed this matter. . Since then, Finland and Sweden have continued to negotiate with Turkey in order to gain support. Now, on the eve of the NATO Summit in Madrid, the three parties finally reached a consensus, and Turkey was guaranteed that Finland and Sweden will no longer support the PKK . In addition, Finland and Sweden announced the lifting of sanctions on Turkish defense industry imports. In this way, Turkey has achieved its goal, which is also the main reason why Turkey relented. Therefore, Turkey behaved in such a high-profile manner just to obtain its own interests. It has to be said that Erdogan's move of indulgence is indeed a joke. Perfect.
Secondly, the reason why Erdogan changed his position on Finland and Sweden's joining NATO is that he knew very well that if Turkey prevented Finland and Sweden from joining NATO with the power of one country, it would only weaken Turkey's position within NATO. The situation is more difficult. Among the 30 members of NATO, Turkey has always been regarded as a pro-Russian role, similar to Hungary's situation in the EU. As a regional power across Europe and Asia, Turkey has huge differences in civilization and social psychology with the European member states within NATO. If Turkey cannot come up with sufficient reasons on the issues related to Finland and Sweden, it will blindly oppose it. Opposition will only lead to anger. Currently, anti-Russian and anti-Russian politically correct sentiments have formed in Europe and NATO. Under such circumstances, Turkey's situation in NATO will definitely become more difficult.
Therefore, Erdogan had been very high-profile before. In fact, he used this gesture to tell Finland and Sweden that Turkey had already made a bid and now it was just waiting for the money to be paid back. Sure enough, after the hard-to-get trick worked, Turkey got what was its own and further improved its relations with other NATO members, indicating that Turkey is still an important member of NATO. After sizing up the situation, Erdogan found that he could not prevent Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, so he resorted to the easy trick.
Third, the reason that prompted Turkey to change its attitude and stance is that Turkey pursues an independent foreign policy. Although Turkey is a member of NATO and a candidate country for the European Union, Turkey has always regarded itself as a regional power across Europe and Asia, and any foreign policy it makes must be in line with its own interests. The reason why Erdogan behaved erratically and made a 180-degree turn on the issue of Finland and Sweden joining NATO this time is ultimately due to Turkey's national interests. Erdogan's previously maintained aloof attitude was to show Turkey's attitude to Sweden and Finland. Without Turkey's consent, Finland and Sweden would not be able to join NATO, so Turkey's needs must be met. Turkey's conventional armed forces rank second within NATO, second only to the United States, and this is Turkey's confidence. Turkey wants to use this to enhance its status within NATO and play a greater role.
After all, Finland and Sweden are in Northern Europe, separated from Turkey by the entire Europe. Even if Finland and Sweden join NATO and the resulting tension in relations with Russia, it is unlikely to affect the relationship between Turkey and Russia.On June 26, Turkish Presidential Office Spokesperson Carlin made it clear that on the one hand, Turkey maintains a consistent attitude with NATO and the European Union, criticizing Russia's special military operations against Ukraine and considering it an aggressive war; on the other hand, Turkey , Kalin said that the reason why Russia took this action was due to NATO’s pressing eastward expansion. This is actually an attitude to Russia. Turkey can understand Russia's difficulties. When the entire Europe rejects Russia, it also hopes that Russia can understand Turkey's helplessness as a member of NATO.
