In its periodic bid to be taken as more than just a regional power with an occasionally glorious past, Turkey has just tripped over itself again. It is not simply about queuing to join the BRICS band of nations, but more about the quixotic Turkish role in dousing the flames in the Russia-Ukraine war.

President Erdogan has reaffirmed the need for Russia to relinquish its hold on Crimea. At same time Ankara has rejected anew the reunification of Cyprus while repudiating a new defense roadmap agreement between Cyprus and Washington.