Conflicting Reactions to Erdogan's Re-election... Russia Calls It a "Victory for Independent Diplomacy," US Emphasizes "NATO Alliance"

On the 28th (local time), as leaders from various countries sent congratulatory messages on the successful re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, President of T?rkiye, divergent intentions between political camps were revealed.

According to major foreign media, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "sincere congratulations" upon Erdo?an’s confirmed re-election, the Kremlin reported. In particular, President Putin referred to Erdo?an as a "dear friend," expressing a special closeness.

President Putin emphasized, "Your election victory is a natural result of your selfless efforts as the leader of T?rkiye and evidence of the Turkish people's support for strengthening national sovereignty and pursuing an independent foreign policy." He added, "We highly appreciate your contribution to strengthening friendly bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields."

Regarding the Ukraine war, President Erdo?an has shown a pro-Russian stance, including not joining sanctions against Russia. T?rkiye still values trade with Russia and has involved a Russian state-owned nuclear company in its first domestic nuclear power plant project.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has closely aligned with Putin, also issued a statement addressing President Erdo?an as "an excellent and strong politician and a good friend of Belarus," stating, "We share common interests in international tension coordination, maintaining food security, and peaceful conflict resolution."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose country is at war with Russia, congratulated President Erdo?an’s re-election via Twitter on the same day and expressed hopes for strengthening cooperation between the two countries. President Zelenskyy said, "We look forward to enhancing strategic partnership for the benefit of both countries and cooperation for security and stability in Europe."

U.S. President Joe Biden posted a brief congratulatory message on Twitter, emphasizing cooperation as NATO allies. President Biden stated, "Congratulations to President Erdo?an on his re-election. I look forward to continuing cooperation on bilateral issues and shared global challenges as NATO allies."

President Biden has had a strained relationship with President Erdo?an due to T?rkiye’s pro-Russian diplomatic stance. Some foreign media interpreted Biden’s mention of NATO as reflecting the White House’s position ahead of Sweden’s NATO membership approval, which T?rkiye currently opposes.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also congratulated Erdo?an on his re-election, saying, "I look forward to continuing our cooperation and preparing for the NATO summit in July." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union (EU) Commission, congratulated Erdo?an on his re-election success and said, "I look forward to continuing to build EU-T?rkiye relations. Pursuing progress in these relations is of strategic importance for the interests of the EU, T?rkiye, and our peoples," emphasizing strengthened cooperation with the EU.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also sent congratulatory messages on Erdo?an’s re-election on the same day, highlighting the importance of bilateral relations as NATO allies and economic partners.