This chapter explores the transformation of Turkey–EU relations from 2008 to 2014, marked by a shift from EU-led Europeanisation to a selective, ideologically driven approach. Following the 2008 closure case, the AKP prioritised political survival, weakening institutional checks and broad reform coalitions. The rise of neo-Ottomanism signalled a strategic turn towards regional alliances and identity-based foreign policy. Regional instability and the Eurozone crisis further reduced EU leverage. Unlike earlier cost-based hesitations, this phase reflects a broader redefinition of Turkey’s strategic orientation shaped by domestic power dynamics and shifting international conditions.