President Erdoğan met with Russian President Putin in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, yesterday.
The 2 leaders have been assembly ceaselessly recently, and the dose of rapprochement will increase with every assembly.
In the meantime, we additionally see mutual gestures and tolerance.
Erdogan happy Putin by not collaborating within the post-war sanctions in opposition to Ukraine, actively mediating in grain shipments and prisoner swaps, saying that he may negotiate with Assad if obligatory, and at last not issuing a presidential-level condemnation of the areas annexed by Russia. (Judging by the Kremlin’s assertion, the subject of struggle was additionally skipped in yesterday’s assembly.)
Putin was not idle both. It paved the way in which for Russian vacationers to come back to Turkey throughout the summer season. He despatched direct funding for Akkuyu Nuclear Energy Plant. Within the pressure that broke out between ROSATOM and IC İçtaş in Akkuyu, he didn’t break Erdoğan’s request and accredited the continuation of the work of the Turkish firm. He inspired oligarchs sanctioned in Europe to maneuver their property to Turkey. It gave Erdogan status within the worldwide enviornment by enabling Turkey to mediate within the negotiations with Ukraine.
The assertion he made yesterday, “We’ll make Turkey the most important fuel centre”, was most likely the largest of his gestures so far.
Whereas Nord Stream 1 is endangered by each fuel cuts and sabotage, Putin’s emphasis on TurkStream is sort of exceptional.
With the Turkish Stream undertaking, Russian fuel is transmitted to Europe by way of the Black Sea. The 935-kilometer pure fuel pipeline has an annual fuel transport capability of 31 billion cubic meters. In 2 years, it offered 18 billion cubic meters of fuel stream to Turkey and 16.8 billion cubic meters of fuel to Europe. After all, this line alone just isn’t sufficient to satisfy the wants of Europe, however it’s actually of essential significance on this ambiance.
Throughout the assembly in August, the Russian chief stated, “Europe ought to be grateful to Turkey for the pure fuel stream by means of the Turkish Stream.”
Right here is the interpretation of it. Whereas Putin cleverly performs the pure fuel card, his largest trump card in opposition to the West, he doesn’t neglect to strengthen his good friend Erdogan on this means.
The Western camp, particularly the USA, will after all be very offended with this new state of affairs. It would not be a shock in the event that they accuse Turkey of getting too near Russia and make a counter transfer by means of the YPG or Greece.
However on the finish of the day, such tensions are non permanent. Turning into the vitality base of the area can be an essential strategic benefit for Turkey, particularly after the Ukraine struggle is over.
Let’s not neglect that TANAP, which carries Caspian fuel to Europe, additionally passes by means of Turkey. Contemplating that the EU has reached an settlement with Azerbaijan to extend the fuel coming from this line to twenty billion cubic meters by 2027, it’s actually attainable that Turkey will turn into the fuel hub of Europe within the close to future.
Lastly, I wish to remind you that Erdogan-Putin rapprochement shouldn’t be thought of independently of the 2023 elections.
Putin doesn’t need Erdogan to lose the election within the face of the 6-way desk, which provides all types of indicators that he’ll comply with a international coverage line near the West.
For that reason, he is not going to spare any materials and ethical help.