Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Turkey's Response and Black Sea Access Issues [March 11, 2022]   [open pdf - 978KB]

From the Document: "Russia's early 2022 invasion [hyperlink] of Ukraine has heightened challenges North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally Turkey faces in balancing relations [hyperlink] between the two countries and managing Black Sea access, with implications for U.S.-Turkey ties. In recent years, Turkey's links with Russia--especially its 2019 acquisition [hyperlink] of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air defense system--have fueled major U.S.-Turkey tensions, triggering sanctions [hyperlink] and reported informal congressional holds [hyperlink] on arms sales. Turkey's increasing cooperation with Ukraine may have some alignment [hyperlink] with U.S. interests in limiting Russia's ability [hyperlink] to reassert regional dominance. Turkey has made some efforts to mediate [hyperlink] between Russia and Ukraine in the current crisis. For additional context, see CRS Report R44000, 'Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief' [hyperlink], by Jim Zanotti and Clayton Thomas."