Turkey’s Erdogan Eyes Full Membership in Moscow-Led Regional Bloc

Despite its longstanding membership in NATO, Turkey under Erdogan has kept good relations with Russia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at a NATO 75th anniversary celebratory event at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington on July 9, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

NATO member Turkey hopes to eventually join the Moscow-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

“Our goal is to become a permanent member there [in the SCO]—not an observer,” Mr. Erdogan told reporters on July 11.