The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal

Ukraine war makes unexpected winner of Turkey’s Erdogan

By Jared Malsin, Elvan Kivilcim

05 Feb 2023 · 8 min read

Editor's Note

President Erdogan has managed to make himself indispensable to all sides of the conflict. The Wall Street Journal explains how he is becoming Turkey’s most powerful ruler in nearly a century.

ANKARA, Turkey—Russia’s invasion of Ukraine one year ago unleashed global economic turmoil. In Turkey, it has proved an unexpected windfall for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish leader has managed to make himself indispensable to all sides of the conflict, a position that is reaping economic rewards that have helped ease the Turkish state’s financial troubles. The turnaround has bolstered his position ahead of a national election that could cement his position as Turkey’s most powerful ruler in nearly a century.

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