Türkiye – Navigating Roles as an Uncomfortable Actor or Regional “Balancer” –

This article aims to explore two roles assumed by Turkey in the international environment: the one of uncomfortable state actor for the West and the neighbourhood, even problematic at times, and the one of regional “balancer”, interested in identifying the appropriate course of action to end the war of Russia against Ukraine. Capitalising on its imperial heritage as well as its geographical location, Turkey has over time had a number of strengths which it has exploited in its international relations to achieve its interests. The year 2023 brought with it the reconfirmation of a new mandate of President Erdogan, aspect seen as decisive in the configuration of the mentioned image – of an inconvenient actor – of Turkey. However, this Turkey, considered by many to be inconvenient, has remained extremely consistent in its relation to the Russian-Ukrainian war, manifesting itself as a “balancer” by attempting to create favourable premises for its conclusion.