---
title: "Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey: Ankara Is Interested in Defense Cooperation with Kyiv, but Is Acting Cautiously"
description: "Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey, Nariman Jelyal, stated that Ankara is interested in defense-industrial cooperation with Kyiv but is approaching it cautiously against the backdrop of the dynamic growth of its own defense-industrial complex over the past 10–15 years."
date: 2026-09-03T07:26:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-ambassador-to-turkey-defense-cooperation-ankara-kyiv
tags: [ukraine-turkey, defense-cooperation, opk, havelan, nato, nariman-jelyal, diplomacy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey: Ankara Is Interested in Defense Cooperation with Kyiv, but Is Acting Cautiously

![Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey on Ankara's interest in defense cooperation with Kyiv](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/03/posol-ukrainy-v-turcii-oboronnoe-sotrudnichestvo-ankara-kiev/posol-ukrainy-v-turcii-oboronnoe-sotrudnichestvo-ankara-kiev-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Turkey shows interest in defense-industrial cooperation with Ukraine but is approaching it cautiously
- Over 10–15 years, Turkey's defense-industrial complex has grown dynamically; the company HAVELSAN signed a direct contract with NATO
- Ukraine's defense experience commands respect in Turkey, but Ankara is building defense autonomy
- The ambassador's statements fit within the context of a broader military-political dialogue between the two countries

Nariman Jelyal, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, revealed in an interview with RBC-Ukraine the details of bilateral cooperation in the defense-industrial sphere, emphasizing that Ankara shows a sustained interest in partnering with Kyiv, yet approaches this area with the caution characteristic of Turkish diplomacy. According to the diplomat, over the past 10–15 years the Turkish defense-industrial complex has undergone dynamic growth and today represents a significant regional and even global player, which makes the format of cooperation with Ukraine particularly sensitive and multifaceted.

### The Growth of Turkey's Defense Industry as a Factor of Caution

Jelyal noted that the Turkish state is deliberately investing in the development of its national defense-industrial complex, treating it as a strategic priority. As a vivid example, the ambassador cited the Turkish company HAVELSAN, which signed a direct contract with NATO. "Isn't that a sign of recognition of the results of its work?" the diplomat emphasized, pointing out that such contracts confirm the maturity of the Turkish defense industry and its ability to compete on the international level. This factor, he said, is what drives Ankara's cautious approach to any forms of joint production or technology transfer with third countries, including Ukraine.

### Ukrainian Experience Commands Respect, but Turkey Is Building Autonomy

Nariman Jelyal stressed that Ukraine's experience in the defense sector — from drone development to the adaptation of Western systems — commands genuine respect and interest in Turkey. At the same time, as the ambassador noted, Ankara is consistently building autonomy not only in its foreign policy but also in the defense sector. This means that Turkey strives for maximum independence in the development and production of weapons, which limits the scope for direct joint production but does not rule out formats of technology exchange, joint research, and mutual procurement.

### The Broader Context: Military Cooperation and Security Guarantees

The ambassador's statements on defense cooperation fit within the broader context of Ukrainian-Turkish relations. Previously, Jelyal had acknowledged the possibility of Turkish military participation in "security guarantee" mechanisms for Ukraine, and had also pointed out that Ankara has repeatedly facilitated the release of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity, although some Turkish initiatives in this area have faced blocking by Moscow. The diplomat had also previously warned that in the event of Ukraine's defeat, the Caucasus and Turkey itself would be next in line, underscoring Ankara's strategic interest in preserving Ukrainian sovereignty.

### Prospects and Limitations

Thus, defense-industrial cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey remains in a phase of active but cautious development. On the one hand, both sides possess complementary competencies: Ukraine — combat experience and innovative developments, Turkey — a mature production base and state support for its defense industry. On the other hand, Ankara's pursuit of defense autonomy and its multi-vector diplomatic strategy create additional constraints on deepening the partnership. In the ambassador's assessment, the key condition for further progress will be Kyiv's ability to offer cooperation formats that are not perceived by Ankara as a threat to its strategic independence.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Ukraine and Turkey Step Up Defense-Industrial Cooperation: What the Ambassador Said](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-ta-turechchina-naroshchuyut-spivpratsyu-1788420208.html) - Первичный источник: прямые цитаты посла Джеляла в интервью РБК-Украина. Все ключевые тезисы статьи (осторожность Анкары, рост ОПК, HAVELSAN, автономность) подтверждены.
- [Turkey's President Is Regularly Invited to Kyiv, but There Is No Data on Such a Visit Yet – Ambassador](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/08/05/7524777/) - Подтверждает активный дипломатический диалог и контекст отношений двух стран.
- [If Russia Destroys Ukraine, the Caucasus and Turkey Will Be Next – Ambassador](https://www.unian.net/politics/turciya-podderzhivaet-ukrainu-posol-obyasnil-chto-turkam-vygodno-protivostoyat-rossii-vmeste-s-ukraincami-13087089.html) - Дополнительный контекст: стратегическая заинтересованность Анкары в украинском суверенитете.
- [Jelyal: Turkey Allowed for the Dispatch of Troops to Ukraine for "Security Guarantees"](https://vm.ru/news/1255464-turciya-dopustila-otpravku-voennyh-na-ukrainu-v-ramkah-garantij-bezopasnosti) - Подтверждает расширение военно-политического трека сотрудничества, упомянутое в статье.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What exactly did the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey say about defense cooperation?
**A:** Nariman Jelyal stated that Turkey shows great interest in cooperation in the defense-industrial sphere but is approaching this area cautiously. He also noted that over the past 10–15 years, Turkey's defense-industrial complex has grown dynamically.

### Q: What example of a Turkish defense company did the ambassador give?
**A:** Jelyal cited the Turkish company HAVELSAN, which signed a direct contract with NATO, which, in his words, is a sign of recognition of the results of the work of Turkey's defense-industrial complex.

### Q: Why is Turkey cautious about defense cooperation with Ukraine?
**A:** According to the ambassador, Turkey is building autonomy not only in its foreign policy but also in the defense sector. The pursuit of defense independence and the development of its own defense-industrial complex drive Ankara's cautious approach to joint projects.

### Q: Does Ukraine's defense experience generate interest in Turkey?
**A:** Yes, Jelyal stressed that Ukraine's experience in the defense sector commands respect and interest in Turkey, although this does not negate Ankara's course toward independence in the defense sector.