Erdogan and Putin deepen cooperation / Ankara on the verge of clashing with the West

2023-09-08 19:32:39, Kosova & Bota CNA

Erdogan and Putin deepen cooperation / Ankara on the verge of clashing with the

From the September 4, 2023 meeting in Sochi, Russia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have pledged for deeper economic cooperation as the list of international sanctions against Russia continues to grow. The leaders' commitment to strengthen ties, analysts say, is likely to stoke hopes among Turkey's Western allies of a rift between Erdogan and Putin.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to increase cooperation in areas such as energy, tourism and foreign aid during their meeting on September 4 in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Relations between the leaders cooled after Mr Erdogan angered Moscow by voicing his support for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Analysts say that the outcome of the meeting in Sochi is a strong signal that the Russian leader cannot afford to weaken relations with Erdogan. The Voice of America spoke with Mr. Ilhan Uzgel, with the Turkish news portal Kisa Dalga.

"Putin cannot afford the defeat of Erdogan. They are not interested in Erdogan's relations with Western countries and institutions. They are more interested in what kind of cooperation they can achieve with Erdogan, and they cooperate in many fields."

Russian officials confirmed on Wednesday that Turkey will participate in efforts by Russia and Qatar to supply African countries with 1 million tons of wheat.

Erdogan and Putin deepen cooperation / Ankara on the verge of clashing with the

According to the agreement, Turkey will process the wheat into flour and will also receive grain from Russia for its market.

Analysts warn that Moscow could use the deal to export looted grain to Ukraine in defiance of international sanctions, adding to concerns over Turkey's refusal to implement sanctions against Russia.

Financial crimes expert George Voloshin tells VOA that as sanctions against Moscow tighten, Turkey is becoming even more important to Russia:

"In Turkey there are many intermediaries who help Russian interests, who help Russia buy goods from the West, including basic ones, as well as very important materials."

At the Sochi meeting, leaders Putin and Erdogan also committed to increasing bilateral trade from $70 billion to $100 billion, including turning Turkey into a regional hub for Russian gas distribution.

Erdogan and Putin deepen cooperation / Ankara on the verge of clashing with the

Some observers say that would undermine efforts by Turkey's Western allies to block Russian energy from international markets.

President Putin and his Turkish counterpart also discussed plans by Russian companies to build a second nuclear reactor in Turkey.

Voice of America spoke with Mr. Zaur Gasimov, professor of history and specialist on Russia at the University of Bonn.

"The Sochi meeting showed the increase of interaction between Russia and Turkey, which shows that both sides are indispensable for each other. They continue to cooperate and interact, increasing even more the areas of cooperation between Ankara and Moscow", he said .

Expanding economic cooperation between Russia and Turkey, some analysts say, could cause tensions between Ankara and its Western allies. While the West tries to isolate Russia, the new cooperation between Ankara and Moscow is dimming the hopes that Mr. Edrogan will cool the close ties with President Putin./ VOA