Abstract
<jats:p>This article examines Turkey’s foreign policy strategy in the Middle East and Eurasia, with a particular focus on its relations with Russia in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war that began in February 2022. The main argument put forward is that Turkey, rather than adhering to classical neutrality, pursues a balancing policy simultaneously managing its relations with both the West and Russia. The article discusses the theoretical framework (balancing and interdependence theories), the historical background, and concrete diplomatic and military actions (such as the role of Bayraktar TB2 drones, the implementation of the Montreux Convention, and the Black Sea Grain Initiative). In addition, Turkey’s energy cooperation, mediation initiatives, and efforts to expand regional influence are highlighted. The findings show that Turkey’s multi-vector, pragmatic, and mediation-oriented foreign policy plays a crucial role in shaping the regional security architecture and can be seen as a practical example of a balancing strategy in the contemporary international system.</jats:p>