DefenceTalkSweden hopes to strike a compromise with Turkey to seal its NATO membership bid, but fears are mounting in the Scandinavian country that the government may sacrifice too much to get what it wants. “If you want to sell everything for NATO membership, then go ahead but I think it’s awful”, blasted Amineh Kakabaveh, a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/as-sweden-woos-turkey-fears-mount-over-what-it-will-cede-78838/

DefenceTalkTurkey on Wednesday said the NATO accession process for Sweden and Finland would not move forward unless they addressed Ankara’s security concerns, in talks with delegations from both Nordic states. “We conveyed our message in very clear terms that the process will not move forward unless Turkey’s security concerns are addressed through concrete steps and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-threatens-to-stall-nato-process-if-nordic-nations-fail-to-act-78823/

DefenceTalkTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, urged the alliance’s members on Wednesday to “respect” Ankara’s concerns about the two countries, which Turkey accuses of harboring terrorists. “Our only expectation from NATO allies is… to first understand our sensitivity, respect and finally support it,” Erdogan told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/erdogan-urges-nato-allies-to-respect-concerns-over-finland-sweden-78802/

DefenceTalkPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday confirmed Turkey’s opposition to NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, again accusing them of failing to take a clear stance against terrorism. “We will not say ‘yes’ to those (countries) who apply sanctions to Turkey to join security organization NATO,” Erdogan said. Sweden has suspended any arms sales to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-will-not-say-yes-to-nato-membership-for-sweden-finland-erdogan-78789/

DefenceTalkNATO member Turkey said it was still talking to Russia about procuring a second batch of one of its most advanced missile defence systems despite the war in Ukraine. The comments on state television late Tuesday by the head of Turkey’s military procurement agency underscore Ankara’s efforts to maintain good relations with Moscow during the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-says-still-talking-to-russia-about-missile-deliveries-78734/

DefenceTalkTurkey said Monday it was blocking warships from the key Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits in line with a convention that gives it control over the passage of military vessels in the strategic area. “We have alerted both countries of the region and elsewhere not to pass warships through the Black Sea,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-blocks-warships-from-bosphorus-dardanelles-78173/

DefenceTalkTurkey Saturday warned against “provocative acts” ahead of talks between Russia and the United States next week to quell tensions over Russia’s military buildup on the Ukrainian border. NATO, of which Turkey is a member, has warned of real risks that Russia will invade Ukraine after Moscow amassed tens of thousands of troops on the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-urges-against-provocative-acts-before-us-russia-talks-77647/

DefenceTalkArmed with battle-tested drones, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been deepening defence ties with African countries ahead of a major gathering of the continent’s leaders in Istanbul. The two-day Turkey-Africa partnership summit starting Friday comes fast on the heels of a top-level business forum in October that focused on investment and trade. The next […]https://www.defencetalk.com/armed-with-drones-turkey-explores-african-arms-sales-77592/

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged more defense cooperation among Black Sea allies Wednesday ahead of a NATO ministers summit. Following talks in Bucharest with Romanian Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Austin said action was needed by littoral states of the Black Sea amid Russia “militarization” of the region. “The security and stability of the Black […]

DefenceTalkThe United States on Friday warned Turkey of further risks to bilateral ties if it buys more weapons from Russia, after US countermeasures over its purchase of the S-400 air defense system. The statement came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin earlier this week and discussed greater military […]