Istanbul’s jailed Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu warned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen against likening Turkey to Russia and China.
“Placing Turkey on the same plane as Russia and China runs contrary to the EU’s own geopolitical realities and strategic interests,” wrote İmamoğlu in an op-ed for POLITICO published Tuesday.
The mayor’s comments come in response to von der Leyen’s recent controversial statement that “we must succeed in completing the European continent so that it does not fall under Russian, Turkish or Chinese influence.”
Former European Council President Charles Michel criticized the Commission chief’s remarks, defending Turkey as a “core NATO ally” and “key migration partner.” EU Parliament Rapporteur for Turkey Nacho Sánchez Amor called the comments “totally inconsistent with recurrent signals for stronger cooperation on security and defense.”
Despite his detention, the top political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has not given up hope on his country joining the EU. However, he holds both sides responsible for the long-stalled process.
While admitting the Turkish government is “eroding the rule of law and fundamental rights” in his country, İmamoğlu accused the EU of wavering “between principle and vested interests in its dealings with Turkey, unable to articulate a strategic vision.”
He also urged the bloc to engage more with Turkish history and social realities, and “move beyond viewing Turkey through the lens of fear, cliché and short-term political calculations.”
İmamoğlu is a member of the center-left Republican People’s Party and first ran for Istanbul mayor in 2019, winning against an Erdoğan-backed competitor. He was then reelected in 2024. In March last year, Turkish police arrested him on corruption charges — a step the opposition argued was politically motivated.
Mert Turan contributed to this report.
