Turkey Helps Ukraine Gain Foothold After Assad’s 2024 Ouster Ends Russia Partnership
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Turkey Helps Ukraine Gain Foothold After Assad’s 2024 Ouster Ends Russia Partnership
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Summary
Turkey is now helping Ukraine establish a foothold in a region where Russia had long held sway, marking the clearest sign that Ankara’s partnership with Moscow is unraveling.
Late 2024 became the turning point: Bashar al-Assad was ousted, and Russia—strained by its war in Ukraine—did not intervene to save him, leaving Turkey newly dominant in Syria.
That shift reversed a decade-old arrangement in which Russia tolerated Turkey’s 2016 incursion into northern Syria and Turkey accepted limits on its backing for anti-Assad rebels.
The relationship had already tilted after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when sanction-hit Moscow grew more dependent on Turkey for trade, investment and energy flows.
Russia is still trying to preserve influence by courting Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and continuing oil supplies, but Ankara now holds greater regional leverage.
With their alliance crumbling, is Turkey's economic reliance on Russia a hidden weakness or a clever diplomatic tool?
With Assad gone, can former enemies Russia and Turkey co-exist in Syria, or is a new conflict for influence inevitable?
As Russia and Turkey part ways, what price will the US pay to secure Ankara's loyalty within the NATO alliance?
After Assad: Turkey’s Strategic Rise, Ukraine’s Entry, and Russia’s Decline in Syria (2024–2026)
Overview
The Middle East is experiencing a major transformation as Ukraine and Syria move closer, forming a new trilateral axis with Turkey. This shift was highlighted by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit to Damascus in April 2026, which both leaders described as an important step toward stronger security and economic ties. The partnership aims to use Ukraine’s experience in modern warfare to help Syria address new security challenges, while also opening the door for deeper economic cooperation. Together, these developments signal a strategic realignment in the region, with Ukraine, Syria, and Turkey preparing for further talks and collaboration.