President Erdogan wants to make nice with the West, on his terms

LESS THANNATONATOFNATO EU three months ago, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was busily accusing America of conspiring to topple his government, talking up his “special relationship” with Russia, and threatening to prevent Sweden from entering . Today, after an unexpectedly easy victory in his country’s presidential elections in May, he is making eyes at the West. Mr Erdogan has Sweden’s accession to , which he has been blocking for nearly a year, has stepped up his support for Ukraine by openly backing that country’s own dreams of membership of the alliance, and has called on the European Union to resume accession talks with Turkey. He has also courted Western investors by shelving his of lowering interest rates in the face of rising inflation.The recent moves have already begun to pay dividends for Turkey. America seems poised to sell it $20bn-worth of -16 warplanes and upgrade kits, a deal previously held up by Congress. Joe Biden, the American president, may soon welcome Mr Erdogan, whom he has repeatedly snubbed, to the White House. He and other leaders are also looking to the Turkish strongman to convince Vladimir Putin to reopen the Black Sea to Ukrainian grain exports; a deal negotiated by Turkey to let food exports out has been halted by Mr Putin since July 17th. Mr Erdogan may have a chance to do so later this month, when the Russian dictator is expected in Turkey. Even the has made noises about “re-engaging” with Turkey.