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Transcript/ScriptTURKEY EUROPE MILITARY
HEADLINE: Turkish army could play key role in Europe's security
TEASER: Europe and Turkey find common ground over Russia threat amid Washington isolationist fears
PUBLISHED: 2/20/25, 4:33
BYLINE: Dorian Jones
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Istanbul
VIDEOGRAPHER: Berke Bas DO NOT USE NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS.
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: caw, DLJ sv
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, Agencies, AFP, Turkish Presidency, Turkish Armed Forces, MBDA
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 3:02
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE:
UPDATE: DO NOT USE Berke Bas NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS.))
((INTRO)) [[With European leaders scrambling to bolster their militaries amid doubts about the U.S. commitment to Europe’s defense, Turkey, which boasts NATO's second-largest army, could be a key part of Europe’s plans, especially in any peacekeeping operation in Ukraine. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.]]
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory cg-Turkish Presidency))
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used a visit to Turkey on Tuesday to emphasize the importance of Ukraine's allies deploying soldiers to guarantee any peace agreement reached with Russia.
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (male –Ukrainian))) ((Mandatory cg-Turkish Presidency))
“Two issues are very important: a strong Ukrainian army and the deployment in Ukraine from other armies like Europe and the United States, our partners.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory cg- Turkish Presidency))
Zelenskyy said he had discussed the issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but that it was too early to reveal the outcome of the talks. ((end courtesy))
While Erdogan has close ties with Zelenskyy, the Turkish leader has also maintained good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However,
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory cg. Turkish Armed Forces))
with the second largest army in NATO, Turkey is well placed to support Ukraine.
[[RADIO VERSION: Mesut Casin, a Turkish presidential adviser, is a professor of international relations at Istanbul’s Yeditepe University.]]
((Mesut Casin, Turkish Presidential Adviser ((male in English)) ((Zoom))
“If the parties agree, Turkey may send our troops to peacekeeping operations. Why I say like this
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Armed Forces ))
Turkey joined many U.N. peacekeeping operations, ((end courtesy)) and the Turkish army is very powerful.”
((NARRATOR))
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week ruled out any NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine. But the importance of the Turkish army to European security could be on the rise, with the United States demanding that Europe take more responsibility for its own defense.
[[RADIO VERSION: That point was underlined by U.S. Vice President JD Vance at this month’s Munich Security Conference.]]
((JD Vance, US Vice President (male in English)))
“We think it's an important part of being in a shared alliance together, that the Europeans step up while America focuses on areas of the world that are in great danger.”
((VIDEO SHOT: POLICE ARRESTS-ORIGINAL
RUSSIA UKRAINE-AFP))
((NARRATOR))
Turkey's poor human rights record has strained its relations with the European Union.
Analysts, however, say shared concerns over Russia are providing increasing common ground on security.
[[RADIO VERSION: Federico Donelli, a professor of international relations at Italy’s Trieste University.]]
((Federico Donelli - Trieste University ((male in English)) ((Zoom))
“Turkey and European countries have the same geo-strategic interests. If you ask to Turkey and Turkish policymakers, for them, the main threat to security and stability of the country and integrity of the country remains Russia.”
((NARRATOR))
European leaders met this week to discuss the security threat facing the continent.
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Armed Forces))
With the Turkish army dwarfing most of its European counterparts, Ankara says it can play a key role in Europe's defense.
[[RADIO VERSION: Again Mesut Casin, a Turkish presidential adviser, and professor of international relations.]]
((Mesut Casin, Turkish Presidential Adviser (male in English))) ((Zoom))
“European allies can be understood that without Turkey, we cannot continue the defense of the European continent and Euro-Atlantic security. And if Turkey is ready to support this European security and defense capability, yes.”
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Armed Forces))
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory cg. Turkish Armed Forces))
Turkey is believed to have about 800,000 personnel in its armed forces, including reservists.
((Mandatory cg. MBDA))
Analysts say that, as a sign of warming relations, European leaders have started lifting their opposition to key Turkish military hardware sales as Ankara seeks to modernize its military, which it claims will be in the interest of all of Europe.
((Dorian Jones, VOA News, Istanbul))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 20, 2025 17:07 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
