Praise for Erdogan's mediation in Ukraine grain deal has its limits
The UN-Turkish mediation with Russia and Ukraine may not give the Turkish president the expected diplomatic boost at home.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received widespread praise for the agreement he co-brokered with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Istanbul on July 22 for Ukrainian grain to reach world markets.
Erdogan’s supporters are casting him as the leader who saved the world from starvation, and he will try and use this to his political advantage at home, where doubts about the competence of his administration are increasing.
His advisors hope this will shore up his weakening domestic support before next year’s presidential elections. Public support for Erdogan has been declining because of Turkey’s economic meltdown mainly due to his unorthodox policies.
Erdogan's kudos from the West for his mediating role, with the UN Secretary general, is the kind of success story he has been angling for in order to improve his international image.
