Pompeo Questions Turkey's Geopolitical Loyalty at Cyprus Forum

At an economic forum in Cyprus, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered strong criticism of Turkey’s foreign and defense policies. His remarks focused on what he described as Ankara’s growing misalignment with its role as a NATO ally.

Concerns Over Turkey’s Defense Strategy

Pompeo expressed unease about Turkey’s ongoing efforts to maintain close relations with both NATO allies and Russia, arguing that such a dual approach contradicts Western security expectations.

“Turkey’s attempt to balance ties between NATO members and Russia is fundamentally incompatible with the alliance’s security principles,” said Pompeo.

He cited the acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defense system as a key example of this incompatibility. Western governments, Pompeo noted, failed to convince Ankara that NATO membership and possession of Russian weapons undermine alliance cohesion. The purchase also resulted in Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet program.

Criticism on Alliance Reliability

Pompeo questioned Turkey’s reliability as a long-term partner within NATO, emphasizing that its deepening cooperation with Moscow, particularly in defense, jeopardizes trust among Western allies.

Comments on the Cyprus Issue

Addressing the Cyprus dispute, Pompeo suggested that the main barrier to progress lies with the Turkish leadership, implying that political choices in Ankara have obstructed a lasting resolution.

Author’s Summary

Pompeo’s remarks in Cyprus underscored his doubts about Turkey’s fidelity to NATO, pointing to its dealings with Russia and handling of the Cyprus issue as signs of strategic divergence.

GreekReporter.com — 2025-11-06