Erdogan says Turkey would consider full membership of China- and Russia-led security bloc
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey may seek full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) following a summit in Bishkek. Erdogan stated Turkey intends to deepen cooperation and ties with the China- and Russia-led security bloc. While pursuing these eastern alliances, Erdogan clarified that Turkey's relations with Russia and China do not signify a rejection of the West. During the summit, Erdogan held meetings with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, and Turkish defense ministers conducted talks with their Kyrgyz counterparts.
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- ✓ President Erdogan said Turkey would consider full membership in the China- and Russia-led SCO.
- ✓ Erdogan stated Turkey will deepen cooperation and ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- ✓ Erdogan met with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko at the SCO summit.
- ✓ Erdogan said relations with Russia and China do not mean turning Turkey's back on the West.
What changed
President Erdogan explicitly stated Turkey would consider full membership in the SCO after the Bishkek summit.
Live updates
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Erdogan says Turkey would consider full membership in SCO security bloc
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey may seek full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) following a summit in Bishkek. Erdogan stated Turkey intends to deepen cooperation and ties with the China- and Russia-led security bloc. While pursuing these eastern alliances, Erdogan clarified that Turkey's relations with Russia and China do not signify a rejection of the West. During the summit, Erdogan held meetings with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, and Turkish defense ministers conducted talks with their Kyrgyz counterparts.
Why it matters
The SCO is a security and political alliance dominated by Russia and China. Turkey's potential entry signals a strategic shift in its foreign policy balancing between NATO and eastern powers.
What is confirmed
- President Erdogan said Turkey would consider full membership in the China- and Russia-led SCO.
- Erdogan stated Turkey will deepen cooperation and ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- Erdogan met with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko at the SCO summit.
- Erdogan said relations with Russia and China do not mean turning Turkey's back on the West.
Still unconfirmed
- Turkey sided with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
What to watch next
- Official application for full SCO membership by Turkey
- Response from NATO allies regarding Turkey's potential SCO membership
- Further bilateral agreements between Turkey and SCO member states
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (9)
- The Jerusalem Post — Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey could deepen ties with China-Russia-led SCO
- Anadolu Ajansı — President Erdogan says Türkiye will deepen cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- AKIpress News Agency — Defense Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey hold talks in Bishkek
- Reuters — Erdogan says Turkey would consider full membership of China- and Russia-led security bloc
- News18 — Turkey, Which Sided With Pakistan During Operation Sindoor, Wants To Join SCO. What Does It Mean For India?
- The Washington Post — Turkey's relations with Russia, China don't mean turning its back on the West, Erdogan says
- Dayton Daily News — Kyrgyzstan SCO Summit
- ua.news — Erdogan met with Putin and Lukashenko at the SCO summit
- AnewZ — Türkiye may seek full SCO membership, Erdoğan says after Bishkek summit
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