Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey in 1991-2021: main forms, treaties, personalities

Abstract

The scientific article analyzes the features of the formation of Ukrainian-Turkish diplomatic relations in 1991–2021. The purpose of the article is to review the current stage of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey in 1991–2021 and to clarify the main forms of diplomacy that dominated during the interaction between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey and to analyze key diplomatic agreements and the influence of individual personalities on the deepening of the diplomatic process. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the fact that for the first time the main forms of Ukrainian-Turkish diplomacy in 1991–2021 were updated and diplomatic interactions between Ukraine and Turkey were substantiated through the analysis of interstate diplomatic acts. The monitoring method was used to collect and systematize information, abstraction was used to highlight key concepts, abstract-logical analysis became the basis for formulating the conclusions of the study. The use of structural-functional analysis made it possible to identify the impact of contractual acts on the cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine in 1991-2021, and the historical-systemic method was used when studying the views of leading Turkish government officials on Ukrainian-Turkish relations. The results of this study demonstrate that the main factor in diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Turkey during 1991–2021 remained the limitation of the expansionist intentions of the Russian Federation. This is especially clearly shown by the example of the annexation of Crimea, which, at the request of the leaders of the Mejlis and the Crimean community, was condemned by the Republic of Turkey. Also, during the study, it was found that legislative acts regulating Ukrainian-Turkish diplomatic interactions are adopted by signing written agreements, allowing the formation of the principles of strategic interstate partnership. The conclusions of the study indicate a decrease in the role of culinary and cultural diplomacy in Ukrainian-Turkish relations in the period 2014–2021 and a simultaneous process of increasing the status of educational, digital, economic and secret diplomacy. The conclusions also emphasize the need for the domestic diplomatic corps to take into account the peculiarities of the work of their Turkish colleagues, which are determined by the ideological principles of the concept of neo-Ottomanism, as the basis of modern Turkish diplomacy. Along with this, the importance of using all forms of diplomatic relations and the possibilities of Ukrainian-Turkish dialogue is emphasized. The prospect of further research lies in the analysis of the texts of specific diplomatic treaties ratified by Turkey and Ukraine, in order to determine the balance of interests of both states during diplomatic interaction.