Vladimir Avatkov: This is a challenge for Russia and Turkey, a challenge coming from the past and from third forces

The Russian position on Syria and the Russian military intervention in the Syrian conflict exacerbated relations between Moscow and Ankara. Who is to blame? Turkey and Russia, or are there other interested forces? With this question we turned to the director of the Center for Oriental Studies, International Relations and Public Diplomacy, senior lecturer at the Oriental Languages ​​Department of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, and a teacher at the military department of the MGIMO University Vladimir Avatkov.

Who do you think is to blame for the current aggravation of relations between Turkey and Russia? One of two things? Or are there any outside forces interested in this?

It does not seem to me that in this situation it is worth looking for those who are right and who is to blame. If you want, I will even say this: the main culprit is not even a regional, but an international political environment. At the same time, it is important to take into account the fact that any internal political turbulences that, for example, now take place in Turkey, as practice has shown, instantly affect the rhetoric of interaction between the two countries.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that, in many respects, the achievements of recent years in Russian-Turkish relations are connected with the positive relations that have developed between the two leaders - V. V. Putin and R. T. Erdogan. This fact, on the one hand, should be considered positive, but on the other hand, the same time should be used to the maximum to build relations not only in the economy and along all verticals and horizons, which was not completely done.

In many ways, the current situation around Syria and the complication of the interaction between Russia and Turkey is also related to the fact that we are in different systems of security coordinates, to the fact that we have different foreign policy strategies. However, this should not interfere with finding common points of contact, in particular, in the sphere of combating terrorism, which is a threat to both countries.

The current situation is a challenge for Russia and Turkey, a challenge emanating from the past and from third forces, a challenge to our future.

Comments

[mig31]

It is clear what kind of third power is involved, do not go to a fortuneteller - arrogant Saxons everywhere sow disgusting, even to their allies, in a word - beat your own so that strangers are afraid .....

[Amurets]

I don’t understand why the Anglo-Saxons spoil you all the time, have you been specially chosen? And if you think about it? In Turkey there are strong pro-Kurdish forces striving to create their own state. There are also strong forces striving to recreate the Ottoman Empire. There are also losing forces there; we’ll call those who prepare terrorists that Russia has to deal with in the North Caucasus. By the way, Qatar and Saudi Arabia create a financial base for terrorists. And they create conditions for terrorists as a counterweight not only to Russia, but also to the USA and Iran. Yesterday I read a post about what didn’t collapse in the USA not only the shale oil business, but also hit on biofuel projects. And it all started from the moment when they decided to lift sanctions against Iran. If you think that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE will reduce production and return fuel quotas to Iran, then you’re also deeply mistaken. And Turkey, as a result of a special operation of the Russian air forces, is deprived of cheap Igilov’s oil, can it not find the one to blame for this? This is where the knot is tied.

[knn54]

Turkey was NEVER a friend / ally of Russia. In the best case, a geopolitical competitor, and usually just an enemy. Even with ATATURK.

[Amurets]

I haven’t noted anywhere that Turkey is a friend, comrade and brother of Russia. In my post, I noted that there is no need to blame the Anglo-Saxons for everything. There is a tangle of contradictions between Russia and Turkey. And the third force can be anyone who gets in the way of Russia in this region . And if we look narrowly only at England and the USA, we can see a lot, since the removal of the Embargo from Iran greatly aggravated the situation in the oil and gas market. And the United States was the first to feel it.

[Uncle lee]

So Erdogan spins around like a weather vane: then he’s a friend and partner, and when they hooked the border with his wing, he insisted that he would refuse from gas and would not be friends, etc., etc.

[ImPerts]

It's good that

recent achievements in Russian-Turkish relations are associated with positive relations between the two leaders - V.V. Putin and R.T. Erdogan

But Turkey in the beginning of the 2000's had no problems with its neighbors. Now, almost across the entire perimeter of borders, there are various conflicts or claims.
Erdogan is a leader by nature, but very impulsive. That is how he differs from V.V. Putin. If Putin is accused of caution and slowness, then Comrade Erdogan is quite the opposite, he loves to wave his saber.

[Vladimir 1964]

Quote: ImPerts

But Turkey in the beginning of the 2000's had no problems with its neighbors. Now, almost across the entire perimeter of borders, there are various conflicts or claims.

Dear colleague Igor, but let me disagree with you. And why do you lose sight of the problematic issues of relations between Turkey and Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia. They did not arise after 2000, they stretch back from the last century.

Something like that, colleague.

[ImPerts]

I do not argue with that. These are old problems, some of which are over 100 years old. But it was Erdogan’s rule that led to the sharp militarization of Turkey and the emergence of other conflicts. Again, to have an old problem that they forgot about and it will gradually fade and exist in this form for many years, or actively inflate them and provoke a major fire, these are multidirectional actions.
Therefore, I wrote just like that, colleague)))
And, Vladimir, let's still remember what Erdogan advocates for increasing the role of religion, namely Islam, in the life of the country. And he has been doing this for many years. And the Persian monarchies joyfully rub their hands. And participation in the cleavage of the Syrian problem, I would even say killing, is confirmation of this.

[Armored optimist]

It is believed that he did not have much time to rule.

[tommy717]

But it seems to me that the article is empty. This is something from that opera when they say that "Not every tenderer can operate with the facts of paradoxical subjectivism." Where is the analysis of the situation that can be discussed? Satanovsky's opinion would be more interesting.

[Vladimir 1964]

Quote: tommy717

But it seems to me that the article is empty. This is something from that opera when they say that "Not every tenderer can operate with the facts of paradoxical subjectivism." Where is the analysis of the situation that can be discussed? Satanovsky's opinion would be more interesting.

I agree with you, Dear colleague Igor. I don’t know about Satanovsky, but the fact that I personally expected a more serious and in-depth analysis from the author, who holds such a serious position, and not a superficial, unreasoned opinion, yes.

Somehow I’m disappointed, unfortunately, my colleagues.

[Wolka]

the author is right, Turkey is only one of many tools to counteract and restrict Russia in the Black Sea region and the Middle East, and no more, it does not have its own policy, and unfortunately, it is not expected in the near future, Turkey is just a vassal it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to work with it, you have to do it right ...

[dog1965]

Here not so long ago they called Syria a "sacred place" for Russia, before that Crimea was called such a place. In general, the Turks have to be afraid that Constantinople is also "a sacred place for the third Rome."
How is Bichevskaya’s lyrics in the song:
"Russia will return Russian Sevastopol,
Will become again the Russian peninsula of Crimea,
Our sovereign Bosphorus, our Constantinople
And the shrine of peace Jerusalem "
Now, if the Turks Tsar-grad returned to the Greeks, then there would be respect for them. (Ile respect)

[traveler]

and Ankara Hittam?

[Vladimir 1964]

Quote: Dog1965

Now, if the Turks Tsar-grad returned to the Greeks, then there would be respect for them.

Dear colleague Eugene, what did the Tsars-grad Turks take from the Greeks? In the news, I did not know!

[Evil rabbit]

This news will be six hundred years old ...

[cniza]

The reason for everything is inadequate Erdogan, but he did not have long to steer. You can deal with the Turks, but at a distance.