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Analysis

Erdogan at G20 Rio Summit: Calls for UN Reform, Criticizes Israel and the West, and Defends Russia's Nuclear Doctrine

Peter Ma, G20 Research Group
November 22, 2024

During his press briefing at the G20 Rio Summit, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan placed conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine at the heart of his agenda. He highlighted Türkiye’s contributions to humanitarian efforts, stating that Türkiye has allocated 1% of its national income to humanitarian aid annually since 2015. He promised that Türkiye will come to the rescue for those in need of assistance.

Erdogan criticized the United Nations Security Council for becoming beholden to the elite interests of its permanent members of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He opposed limiting the permanent seats to the current five, arguing that existing international structures exclude countries from Latin America, Africa and Asia, whose requests are not heard. He called for reforming the UN system to ensure it remains focused on efforts to create a just and fair global order.

Erdogan also condemned Israel for the war in Gaza and Lebanon. He denounced its actions in Gaza, which he described as turning Gaza into an “open air prison,” amounting to genocide and crimes against humanity. He also denounced Israel’s actions in Lebanon, describing it as a campaign of state terror that has massacred civilians. He called for an immediate end to the atrocities in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon, expanding humanitarian aid access, permanent ceasefires and the international recognition of Palestine.

Erdogan also criticized the international community for failing to stand up to Israel’s “attitude.” He pointed to Türkiye’s support of the Israel genocide case at the International Court of Justice, the severing of trade relations with Israel, denying Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s the use of Turkish airspace en route to Baku for the UN climate negotiations and Türkiye’s demands at the UN to end arm shipments to Israel as concrete steps taken to end Israeli atrocities in the Middle East.

With regards to Ukraine, Erdogan lamented that both Russia and Ukraine, as well as the United States, failed to take advantage of the Istanbul Process. He described the US decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory as “not positive.” He defended Russia’s new nuclear doctrine, which allows Russia to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear enemies, as an understandable measure for Russia’s self-defence. He also said that North Atlantic Treaty Organization leaders should take Russia’s new doctrine into account when developing their security policy.

Erdogan boasted of Türkiye’s economic achievements despite rising tensions in the region. He highlighted the countries 5.3% economic growth in 2023, its decreasing deficit and its growing national bank reserves as indicators that Türkiye is ready and open to greater foreign investment.

Erdogan’s remarks demonstrate that his government will continue to pursue a foreign policy increasingly at odds with western great powers. His commitment to an anti-Israeli stance on Middle Eastern conflicts will no doubt draw the ire of the US, Israel’s closest ally and primary backer. His defence of Russia’s nuclear policy and opposition to the new US missile policy for Ukraine adds Türkiye to a small circle within NATO, alongside Hungary and Slovakia, who are critical of the US-led military aid to Ukraine. Both these stances will no doubt create tension between Türkiye and its major NATO allies, such as the US, in an era of increasingly intense competition between great and regional powers.

Peter Ma is a researcher with the G20 Research Group, and a third-year student at the University of Toronto majoring in political science and international relations.

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