Nariman Dzhelyalov, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, has overcome a difficult path in recent years. He remained to work in Crimea after Russia’s occupation, where he was arrested by the occupying authorities on ungrounded charges by the Kremlin in a counterfeit case involving the so-called “sabotage” of the gas pipeline in the village of Perevalnoye. He survived several years of imprisonment in Russia, and after his release was appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey. The release of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar politician from Russian captivity was personally requested by the President of Turkey, to whom Nariman Dzhelyalov presented his credentials a few days ago.
Ukrinform sat down with Mr. Dzhelyalov immediately after he officially took office to talk about his priorities and main goals in office, the weakening of Russia’s posture in the Black Sea region and the Caucasus, the prospects for continuing peace negotiations on the Turkish “platform” and, in particular, the likelihood of a meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Russian leader, as well as about bilateral engagement in the field of defense industry and the rebuilding and restoration of Ukraine.
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– Mr. Ambassador, we congratulate you on the beginning of your diplomatic service and your first ambassadorial tenure. You are not a stranger to Turkey: you speak Turkish, practice Islam, and have long-standing ties with the country, including through the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. What are your first impressions and main priorities in office?
– Well, let’s begin with the priorities. They are clearly outlined by the leadership of the State of Ukraine: these are deepening strategic partnership with the Republic of Turkey, strengthening cooperation in the name of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and achieving a just peace.
A vigorous, highest-level political dialogue between Ukraine and Turkey has been kept going. At the same time, we are active promoting other key areas ranging from the implementation of defense-industrial projects to cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and investments. The Free Trade Agreement’s ratification process is being finalized, and economic cooperation is expanding, including Turkey’s participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
It is worth noting Turkey’s mediating role – both in the peace process and in the implementation of humanitarian initiatives, in particular the Black Sea Grain Initiative (the Grain Deal).
The potential for our relations is inexhaustible. In the face of global and regional challenges, Ukraine and Turkey have every reason to be allies in shaping a new security architecture for the Black Sea region.
My focus is on an open, systematic dialogue aimed at specific results and a tangible effect from our strategic partnership.
As regards my impressions from the first weeks of my tenure, they are favorable. The work will not be easy, but our Turkish partners are open to cooperation.
RUSSIA’S POLICY ID LEADING TO ITS ISOLATION AND DECLINE
– In the light of the events of recent months, Turkey is increasingly gaining geopolitical importance in the region and throughout the world. What role can Turkey play in it given the recent developments in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia?
– The situation with Azerbaijan is another evidence of the imperial nature of Russian policy: chauvinism, humiliation of other nations, contempt for Turkic peoples. Russia is showcasing its long-standing desire to keep control over the Caucasian countries. Ukraine is an example of what this can result in.
Azerbaijan’s actions are a logical response – a struggle for dignity, historical justice and sovereignty. Russia is attempting to dictate its will, but in the 21st century, such a policy inevitably leads to isolation and decline. A new reality is shaping in the region, where it is increasingly clear who is a partner and who is a threat.
THE KREMLIN IS UNABLE TO FULFILL EVEN ITS OWN OBLIGATIONS
– Russia is demonstrating its betrayal of its “partners” and a failure to fulfill its promises to Armenia, Syria, and Iran. Can we talk of Russia’s posture in the region weakening? What are your predictions for further developments?
– Indeed, the Kremlin is showcasing its inability to fulfill even its own obligations. The examples of the mentioned countries only underscore the systemic crisis of trust in Russia as a partner. Instead of a security guardian, it is increasingly perceived as a toxic actor whose actions arise solely from its own short-term self-interest, without any obligations nor principles.
Moscow’s actions are leading to the destruction of Russia’s credibility in the region, the weakening of its political influence, and the reshaping of alliances. Countries that were forced to reckon with Moscow previously are now looking for new partners – more predictable, reliable and stronger ones. In a strategic perspective, this means further isolation of Russia and its loss of leverage over regional processes.
By vigorously advocating the reshaping, and actually the ruination of the existing durable system of international relations, Russia, due to its own unhealthy behavior – aggression and unwillingness to compromise – itself becomes a victim of this process.
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WE ARE WORKING WITH TURKEY TO PREVENT RUSSIA CIRCUMVENTING SANCTIONS
– In Ukraine, there are some critical voices about Turkey’s not joining Russia sanctions or continuing trade relations with the Russian Federation, etc. How, in your opinion, should relations with Turkey be built in this context?
– Indeed, there are such assessments. At the same time, it is essential to understand: Turkey is a sovereign nation that pursues its balanced foreign policy, in accordance with its own national interests. Ankara is regarding its relations with Ukraine and Russia as the ones going along two separate tracks.
On one side is Turkey’s requirement for Russian energy resources and investments, on the other, its active mediatory role in the release of POWs, political prisoners and Kremlin’s hostages, as well as in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, etc.
We are continuously working with the Turkish side to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. Where troubles arise, we have effective communication channels to handle them.
Our goal is to accomplish the Ukrainian interest to the maximum extent possible, without losing trust and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation, in particular in the defense sector, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and the involvement of Turkish technologies.
I know without a doubt that, given who is who in our region, the protection of the Turkish government’s interests will inevitably bring the country’s leadership to the objective need for closer relations with Ukraine. And we are actively contributing to this process.
RUSSIA IS DEMONSTRATING CONTEMPT FOR PEACE EFFORTS BY TURKEY AND THE USA
– Does the prospect remain of peace negotiations in Turkey at the level of President Zelensky of Ukraine and President Putin of Russia?
– President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly declared being ready for such a meeting. But for the time being, the main obstacle is Russia’s destructive stance – its lack of sincerity, a willingness to use negotiations as a tool for pressure rather than achieving peace.
Turkey is an important facilitator, and we are grateful to it. But meaningful negotiations are only possible if Russia respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
At the moment, Russia is demonstrating open contempt not only for us, but also for all partner countries that are working to achieve peace, including Turkey and the United States.
– Does Turkey have enough leverage over Russia to force it (independently or together with other countries) not to simulate negotiations, as Moscow is doing now, but to meaningful and effective negotiations aimed at achieving peace?
– Ankara has certain tools, but it cannot force Russia to a constructive position by acting alone. Coordination with other influential actors is needed. Without a shift in Moscow’s approach, it is premature to talk of any meaningful negotiations.
Фото Photo courtesy of the Administration of the President of Turkey
FOLLOWING RATIFICATION OF THE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, THE COMMISSION ON TRADE WILL START WORK
– The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Ukraine and Turkey was signed a few weeks before the war began. It has already been ratified by the Turkish Parliament, and the decree on ratification was signed by President Erdogan. The delay in full ratification hence coming into force is due to the Ukrainian side. What are the prospects for ratification?
– The document is awaiting ratification by the Verkhovna Rada. We are hopeful this will happen before the Ukraine visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After the exchange of ratification instruments, the commission on will start working, which will annually adjust the implementation of the agreement.
This opens up a real path for our industrial exports to the Turkish market, which has so far been closed due to high customs barriers.
TURKEY IS A PLATFORM FOR SOLICITING THIRD-COUNTRY INVESTMENTS
– What do you see Turkey’s role in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine?
– Turkish businesses are already actively working in Ukraine. It is essential to focus on long-term collaborative projects: industrial parks, defense industries, transport infrastructure, high technologies.
Turkey is acting as well as a platform for investment solicitation from third countries – Japan, South Korea, Italy, France. In December, we are expecting a visit by the Turkish Minister of Trade with business representatives to agree on a roadmap for participation in the reconstruction effort.
– How deep going is defense-industrial cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey?
– This is an essential component to [our] bilateral relations. But not only are we talking about procurements, but also about cooperation in military technology. We have a number of success stories in this regard. These include the production of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy, the construction of a Baykar factory in Ukraine, as well as the export of Ukrainian engines for the Kızılelma, Akıncı, Anka3 UAVs, as well as for the Atak-2 helicopter. We also have an interest in participating in the project of the fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighter jet.
THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY IS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER IN CONVEYING THE TRUTH ABOUT UKRAINE
– How do you plan to organize work with the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities in Turkey?
– Turkey is home to the largest Crimean Tatar community worldwide, and this circumstance is an essential component to the Ukrainian-Turkish dialogue. Among our objectives is to maintain vibrant communication with community leaders, to facilitate the implementation of joint projects in the fields of culture, education, historical memory, and international advocacy. An important place in cooperation with the Crimean Tatar diaspora is held by the promotion of the issue of Crimea de-occupation, along with the consolidation of support for Ukraine in its fight against the military aggression by the Russian Federation.
We highly appreciate the solidarity with the Ukrainian people shown by the Crimean Tatar community in Turkey, its clear pro-Ukrainian stance, which adds strength to the international front of resistance to the aggressor. We are hoping for this cooperation to grow further, which has a strong historical and value foundation.
Regarding the Ukrainian diaspora, its role has grown significantly. I inherited a solid foundation laid by previous ambassadors. In recent years, we have managed to generate a powerful institutional capacity: 24 Ukrainian public centers, schools, cultural associations are actively operating in Turkey, and an effective liaison mechanism between the diaspora and Ukrainian government entities is functioning. This is a valuable asset that we profoundly respect and on which basis we will continue building our work.
My challenge is to multiply these achievements and ensure tangible results in all key areas ranging from strategic partnerships in the security and trade and economic sectors to the development of cultural diplomacy, the implementation of humanitarian initiatives, support for educational projects and fostering Ukrainian identity out of the country.
We are regarding the Ukrainian community in Turkey as an important partner in conveying the truth about Ukraine, its culture, history and modernity. They are actually acting as ambassadors of Ukrainian culture to the world, playing an important role in shaping a positive image of Ukraine among the Turkish public.
In close partnership with public organizations, we are planning to continue facilitating the implementation of multi-dimensional initiatives that will contribute to the preservation of cultural and linguistic identity on the one hand and will harmoniously fit the Ukrainian community into a broader international context on the other, in particular in relations with other diasporas and local communities. We are talking about intelligent integration of modern Ukrainism into the global architecture, with due respect for the cultural environment of the Republic of Turkey.
Olha Budnyk led this conversation
Photos courtesy of Ukraine’s Embassy in Turkey and the Administration of the President of Turkey
