Despite the focus in recent years on developments in the Middle East, North Africa, South Caucasus, the Balkans still play a crucial role in Turkey’s new foreign policy of trying to become a regional power using a personalized foreign policy, soft power, trade. The COVID-19 crisis also presented an opportunity for Turkey to represent itself as a «savior» in tough times. During the COVID-19 outbreak Turkey took steps to expand its influence in different regions, including the Balkans, by means of using the tools of «mask» and «vaccine» diplomacy. As a result, Turkey was one of the first countries to start delivering medical supplies to the region, frequently pointing out the failure of the EU’s performance as a crisis manager. In 2021, this is the point where Turkey’s policy limits become evident because of a lack of its COVID vaccine and the deterioration of the internal economic and financial climate. Thus, the purpose of the study is to examine the effectiveness of Turkey’s COVID-diplomacy towards the several Balkan states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo). Moreover, the launch of the special military operation in Ukraine has revealed new opportunities for Turkey to promote itself as a mediator in diplomacy, energy, trade, transport, etc., including towards the Balkans.