Turkey's Nationalist Party Pushes for Alliance with Russia and China

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, the Turkish government’s nationalist ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), has intensified calls for a strategic alignment between Türkiye, Russia, and China. This proposal is rapidly becoming one of the most consequential foreign policy debates within Ankara’s political circles. Spearheaded by MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the initiative goes beyond mere anti-Western rhetoric, signaling a potential shift in Türkiye’s international orientation.

The renewed push for this alliance appears to be closely tied to the MHP’s long-term strategic expectations for the ruling coalition as the country gears up for the 2028 elections. The debate escalated significantly after MHP Deputy Chairman Ilyas Topsakal revealed that he traveled to Moscow in March on Bahceli’s direct instructions to promote the idea of a Türkiye-Russia-China partnership during meetings with Russian political figures and intellectuals.

According to Topsakal, the MHP seeks not ministerial positions within the ruling coalition but rather “the adoption of a program for cooperation with Russia and China” as its key political expectation heading toward 2028. Political analysts interpret this recent move as part of the MHP’s preparations for the upcoming elections, arguing that the party is gradually losing its political comfort zone and is bringing the alliance debate to the forefront to maintain leverage within the ruling bloc.

Interestingly, MHP sources who spoke to Türkiye Today on condition of anonymity rejected suggestions that the initiative is driven by electoral concerns. They argue that the proposal aims to strengthen Türkiye’s position in the face of shifting global dynamics and safeguard the country’s security priorities.

So, what exactly is the MHP proposing? The party envisions a strategic Eurasian framework linking Turkish, Russian, and Chinese-led institutions. Topsakal mentioned the idea of creating “synergy” among organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). This proposal echoes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-promoted “Greater Eurasian Partnership” framework and suggests a notable shift in MHP strategic thinking.

In September 2025, Bahceli first publicly proposed the Türkiye-Russia-China axis, calling for such an alignment against what he described as a U.S.-Israel-led “evil coalition.” He later expanded the concept by proposing a “World Peace Council” involving Türkiye, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. Bahceli has emphasized that increasing global tensions have intensified discussions around possible World War III scenarios, advocating for a new global peace mechanism.

“Under these circumstances, we propose that, upon the call of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the United States, Russia, China, Türkiye, and the European Union develop a new mechanism under a ‘World Peace Council.’ We believe Türkiye could host such an initiative as well,” he stated. The timing of this renewed push has drawn heightened attention, especially as global tensions escalate following the Middle East conflict and the widening confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Opposition figures have reacted sharply to the MHP’s proposal, with notable criticism coming from IYI Party leader Musavat Dervisoglu. He argued that Türkiye should not become a pawn for Moscow or Beijing, nor should it serve as an excuse for war on behalf of Israel. Dervisoglu insisted that Ankara should focus on addressing its severe bilateral trade deficits with Russia and China instead of pursuing new alliances with governments that have a history of abandoning their partners.

In a pointed remark, Dervisoglu accused Bahceli of abandoning the ideological legacy of the MHP’s founder, Alparslan Turkes. He stated, “May Allah spare anyone from the unbearable lightness of being educated in Alparslan Turkes’s school in youth and practicing politics on Dogu Perincek’s line in old age,” referring to the veteran Turkish politician known for his anti-Western Eurasianist views.

In response, MHP officials defended Bahceli’s position, arguing that the party’s geopolitical outlook reflects realism rather than an ideological drift. MHP Secretary General Ismet Buyukataman stated that Bahceli’s worldview stems from “reading global realities correctly,” insisting that critics fail to grasp the strategic transformations underway in international politics.

The implications of the MHP’s proposal are far-reaching, particularly against the backdrop of a volatile regional security environment. The spillover of the Middle East conflict into the Eastern Mediterranean has transformed Cyprus into a geopolitical flashpoint. Iranian missile activity and drone operations near Cypriot airspace have effectively extended the conflict into Europe’s strategic sphere, marking a shift that exposes vulnerabilities in NATO’s southeastern flank.

In response to these developments, Greece has rapidly reinforced its military presence around Cyprus, deploying F-16 fighter jets, naval assets, and anti-drone defense systems. This buildup reflects Greece’s view that Cyprus’s security is directly linked to its own sovereignty and broader European stability. Concurrently, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands have also deployed military assets to the region, with France taking a leading role by deploying the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Türkiye has adopted an evasive neutrality strategy, intercepting Iranian missiles over its territory and increasing its military presence in northern Cyprus. In March 2026, Türkiye deployed F-16 jets and advanced defense systems to the region, signaling readiness without overt escalation. This dual approach complicates coordination within NATO and the EU, as Türkiye operates both as a partner and an independent geopolitical actor.

Domestic and economic pressures also shape Türkiye’s strategy, with rising energy prices linked to regional instability and concerns about potential refugee inflows from Iran. The situation is underscored by the risks of a wider geopolitical shift that could marginalize Türkiye if the regional balance shifts decisively under a potential U.S.-Israel-led framework.

On April 17, 2026, President Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to protect Turkish Cypriots during a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. He warned against the permanent presence of foreign military forces in Cyprus, emphasizing that Ankara is prepared to take “all necessary measures” to defend the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots. This statement adds to the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Cyprus, a region that remains strategically important in the midst of broader Middle East tensions.

The intersection of Iranian military activity, European deployments, and Türkiye’s strategic repositioning is redefining the Eastern Mediterranean. As tensions persist, the region faces a new reality where local conflicts are increasingly intertwined with global power dynamics.