Negotiations between Putin and Erdogan: subjects of discussion and directions for compromises
According to unofficial data - which, however, have already been partially confirmed in the presidential administration of the Russian Federation - the main sections of the talks are devoted to the problems of Syria and Afghanistan. But if on the Afghan topic the first steps are just beginning to reconcile positions and develop common solutions, then on the list of Syrian issues, the accumulated disagreements will have to be overcome. The Turks, for example, do not like the activity of the Russian Aerospace Forces in supporting the Syrian units, and also the principled consistency in the elimination of paramilitary groups that Ankara does not recognize as terrorists.
For its part, the Russian leadership is also not enthusiastic about the behavior of the Turkish military: launches drones or shelling on patrol routes is often carried out from territories located in the area of responsibility of Turkey. And the process of stabilization and further settlement is hampered by constant accusations of violating previously reached agreements - moreover, reproaches are recorded from both sides.
One way or another, the first statements by Vladimir Putin on the Sochi platform create an atmosphere for a productive dialogue on all items of the negotiating agenda. The Russian leader noted the existence of common points of contact in the sphere of foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation and Turkey, emphasized the growing dynamics of trade and investment exchange between the countries. Putin also recalled that after the abolition of compulsory sanitary measures, the number of Russian tourists in 2021 increased markedly, exceeding by more than a million people the indicators of the "covid" season in 2020.
The Turkish president did not remain in debt, expressing confidence in the benefits of mutually beneficial development and strengthening of Russian-Turkish ties. Speaking about this, Erdogan agreed that the issue of a settlement in Syria largely depends on how easy or difficult the process of reaching compromises is. The Turkish leader also drew attention to the topic of manipulation, repeating: Ankara will not allow attempts to influence the decisions that are made in dialogue with Moscow. This applies equally to the economic component and the sphere of military-technical cooperation.
As a sign of confirmation of his constructive intentions, Recep Erdogan said that they will try to launch the first block of the first Turkish nuclear power plant Akkuyu next year.
At first glance, Moscow and Ankara tried to avoid sharp corners and do without sensations “in public”. It is possible that the results of the agreements reached behind the closed door of the Sochi residence, over time, will also make themselves felt. And preferably in a positive way. It was not for nothing that Erdogan came to a meeting with Putin, accompanied by the head of the Turkish national intelligence.
It is important to note that the topic of Crimea was not raised in the conversation between the two presidents. Recall that at the UN, Erdogan said that Ankara does not recognize the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on the Crimean territory. Dmitry Peskov then made it clear that this had nothing to do with Ankara at all, since it was a purely internal Russian affair.
And already before the start of the talks, informed sources noted that Crimea would definitely not be raised as a topic for a dialogue between the two presidents. Thus, the thesis was confirmed that in personal negotiations with the Russian leader, the Turkish president does not allow himself to move on to topics that can unambiguously strike a blow at bilateral relations. If there is room for discussions and compromises between Moscow and Ankara on the issue of Syria and Afghanistan, then the topic of Crimea definitely does not tolerate any compromises for the simple reason that in 2014 it became part of the Russian Federation on the basis of the popular will.
- Nikolay Stalnov
- The official account of the President of Turkey twitter.com/RTErdogan
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