You're reading: Ukrainian expert says Kyiv could participate in plans to establish Turkish ballistic missiles

Kyiv, with a high degree of probability, could be considered a possible partner for Ankara in plans voiced by Western sources on Wednesday regarding the creation of Turkish medium-range ballistic missiles, President of the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies Oleksiy Kolomiyets has said. 

The expert announced this during the presentation of a book entitled “Transatlantic Security, New Challenges and Missile Defense Architecture: Priorities and Prospects for Central and Eastern Europe and Ukraine” in Kyiv on Wednesday.

While answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine reporter, Kolomiyets said that plans for the creation by Turkey of ballistic missiles were announced on Wednesday by a large U.S. think tank, with reference to a leading Turkish newspaper.

“The issue concerns the creation by Turkey of a launch complex that will be designed with the assistance of an Eastern European country,” he said, adding that according to statements made by the Turkish leadership, Ankara plans to create ballistic missiles with a range of 2,300 kilometers.

“First and foremost, this is Turkey’s contribution to strengthening its own security,” Kolomiyets said.

The evaluation of the actual technical capabilities of the defense sector in Eastern European countries in the field of missile defense gives grounds to suggest with a high degree of probability that Ukraine is the most likely candidate for partnership with Turkey in this project, he said.

“Ukraine is in first place,” he said, adding that “at present, Kyiv and Ankara are preparing a document on strategic partnership between Ukraine and Turkey.”

The expert failed to say whether the plans for cooperation were agreed in world capitals.

“Perhaps the Turkish government made a request to Washington and to NATO. Or perhaps it’s an absolutely bilateral decision,” he said.