Pompeo Questions Turkey's Geopolitical Loyalty at Cyprus Forum
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sharply criticized Turkey’s foreign policy and defense strategy during an economic forum in Cyprus. He focused on what he sees as Ankara’s growing divergence from its role as a NATO ally.
Pompeo expressed concern over Turkey’s dual diplomatic and military relations with both NATO allies and Russia, labeling this approach as fundamentally conflicting with Western security standards. He pointed specifically to Turkey’s controversial purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
“Western powers have been unsuccessful in persuading Ankara that NATO membership and ownership of Russian weapons represent incompatible positions that compromise alliance security.”
This purchase led the US to exclude Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program. Pompeo questioned Turkey's long-term reliability as a Western partner, highlighting its ongoing prioritization of defense ties with Moscow.
Regarding the persistent Cyprus conflict, Pompeo attributed the lack of progress mainly to Turkish leadership.
Summary
Pompeo’s remarks underline concerns about Turkey’s conflicting alliances between NATO and Russia, raising doubts about its commitment to Western security and its role in regional disputes like Cyprus.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?