Türkiye

Turkish respondents generally display strong opinions, often ranking among the most or the least supportive of particular statements in the poll. Turks are plagued by concerns, with a notable 85% expressing worries about their personal future. The biggest concerns of Turkish people are inflation (87%), economic crises (87%), and wars and conflicts (83%).

A staggering 80% of Turks feel that their nation does not have the status it deserves, the highest level of dissatisfaction of all the countries polled. This level of dissatisfaction has hardly changed since 2021. However, Turks feel rather independent and autonomous, as only 56% (the third-lowest score among the poll) are convinced that Türkiye’s prosperity is linked to the well-being of other countries. 

Türkiye's foreign and security policy is characterised by a plurality of institutional alignments. A greater role is desired for international organisations such as the UN (67%), the EU (61%), NATO (56%) and the OSCE (54%).

80% of Turks feel that their nation does not have the status it deserves – the highest level in the poll, unchanged since 2021.

Türkiye’s geopolitical outlook is shaped by its complex relations with major powers. Opinions on greater cooperation with the US are almost evenly split at 44%. While 64% desire greater cooperation with the EU, almost the same share see a conflict of interests between the EU and Türkiye. In their view the relationship is unbalanced. A large majority (60%) perceive the EU as the primary beneficiary with only 22% seeing Türkiye in this role. 

Similarly, Turks perceive their NATO membership as benefiting primarily NATO (51%) rather than Türkiye (30%). However, Türkiye holds a unique position within NATO given its peculiar relationship with Russia. It supplies the Ukrainian Army with weapons, but at the same time it is the only NATO member that does not implement sanctions against Russia. It has also not banned Russian aircraft from landing in Türkiye, having become a gateway for travel between Europe and Russia. 

Türkiye seeks to broaden its partnerships beyond the West. With its application to join the BRICS, it could become the first country to be part of both alliances. Instead of adopting a de-risking strategy toward China, like many European countries, 64% of Turks favour stronger cooperation with Beijing. A majority (58%) favour closer relations with Russia, the third-highest share in the survey. Somewhat contradicting this, the same percentage (58%) would prefer reduced dependence on Russia and China, even if this has a negative impact on living standards.

Türkiye’s stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine stands apart from other NATO countries. Some 42% view the war as a proxy war between the West and Russia, a sentiment shared only in countries outside the EU. Turks also view Russia’s invasion as driven by long-standing disagreements between Russia and Ukraine (30%), the highest value in the poll. 

While 50% blame Russia for the war, a significant proportion holds the US (47%) and the EU (26%) to blame. Consistent with Türkiye's unique positioning, 47% of respondents endorse diplomatic efforts to end the war. Some 38% advocate for a neutral stance, the second-highest share in the poll. Accordingly, the majority (46%) advocate for humanitarian aid, while only 27% support military aid (among 18–29 year olds: 36%). This figure is significantly lower than the average of 48% among polled NATO countries. However, in line with other NATO partners, the majority of Turks oppose troop deployment (73%).

On other issues, Turks are rather divided. Amid tensions with the EU over Türkiye's refusal to join sanctions on Russia, 45% support sanctions and 39% oppose them. Similarly, there is no decisive majority in favour of Ukrainian membership of the EU (41% support, 35% oppose) and NATO (38% support, 39% oppose). During the last NATO enlargement, Türkiye notably blocked Sweden's membership for months.
Among the 31% who believe that no further support should be provided to Ukraine, 65% believe that the war needs to end. 

About half consider it most important to stop the war, even if it means that Ukraine loses control of some areas to Russia. This aligns with the survey results from 2021, when 60% of Turkish respondents agreed that borders have always changed as a result of wars. Still, the majority of Turks believe in a diplomatic resolution to the war.

Regarding the effects of the war, China (42%) and Russia (34%) are perceived to have been strengthened by it. In this context, Türkiye stands out once again, as other NATO countries perceive Russia as having been weakened. Next to Türkiye only Russia itself, Serbia and Kazakhstan think that Russia has become stronger.

51% oppose military intervention in conflicts, up from 37% in 2021.

The prevailing belief for developments over the next five years is rather bleak. Around 62% of Turks fear that the global situation will worsen, with those 18-29 years of age somewhat more optimistic. Reflecting the »Türkiye first« approach, a notable majority prioritise focusing on the country's own well-being. Accordingly, only about half support assuming more international responsibility and helping other states if there are no direct benefits to Türkiye. Nevertheless, over 70% support an active foreign policy.

Foreign policy priorities include combating terrorism and extremism (50%), addressing international migration (45%), and tackling human rights violations (41%). For conflict resolution, Turks see diplomatic efforts as most important (46%), as these are viewed as the most effective and legitimate means. Regarding current involvements, a majority (58%) prioritise focusing on the conflict in Gaza, while only 6% choose war against Ukraine.
Only a quarter of Turks are satisfied with their country’s and the world’s climate policy efforts. Nearly 60% support taking all possible measures to address climate change. A broad majority support wealthier nations aiding poorer ones and emphasise international collaboration. However, if climate change leads to instability, around 71% favour border protection.

Support for interventionist foreign policy is rather declining, in contrast with the reality of assertive Turkish foreign policy. Turkish respondents tend towards restraint, with 51% opposing military intervention in conflicts, up from 37% in 2021. At the same time, belief in the effectiveness of military intervention as an instrument of foreign policy is by far the highest in the poll (64%), which appears contradictory. Almost 70% oppose the use of nuclear weapons, 23% consider them acceptable as a last resort. 

A majority (67%) support increased military spending. Still, 60% prioritise social and economic spending over defence, though this figure is higher among those aged 18–39. Most respondents believe that higher military spending should be financed by a special levy on the rich (62%). This represents one of the highest levels of support among the surveyed countries and reflects Türkiye’s high inequality.