Turkey continues its underground flirtations with Russia and is very mired in geopolitical games with other countries. It is not worth waiting for any changes directly from Recep Erdogan.
Mikhail Yakubovich, an orientalist from Germany, noted this on the air of Channel 24 . He stressed that in the future, much will depend on the West.
Erdogan is a hostage of his status
Despite the sanctions and its support for Ukraine, Turkey continues to play underground games with Russia. Yes, Turkish planes are still carrying Russian tourists and not only. The country is directly involved in the export of some sanctioned items, not without the knowledge of Erdogan. The Turkish president himself has become a hostage to his status, Mikhail Yakubovich believes.
“He will have to explain a lot, in particular to Western partners. For example, they are building a nuclear power plant. And Erdogan, obviously, will not face any sanctions against Rosatom, which will introduce this,” the expert gave a specific example.
Mikhail Yakubovich about what Saudi Arabia is preparing for Ukraine: watch the video
Trying to sit on several chairs at the same time, Turkey has become bogged down in its geopolitical games.
Now Turkey is trying to improve relations with Armenia by continuing its alliance with Azerbaijan. Expect any changes from Erdogan – no. Obviously he will come out with the same thing again. Another question is how much they will trust him further, – Yakubovich noted.
The toughest election in 20 years
According to the latest data, elections in Turkey will be held in May 2023 and it is unlikely that the Turkish people will elect anyone else, the orientalist noted. However, whether Erdogan will continue his business with Russia will depend on the West.
“Erdogan, with the income and bonuses that he has from Russia, will have to bill the West. And what will we have with you? For example, when he builds a gas hub. You can drive Russian gas there, as well as Turkmen gas through Azerbaijan, but there it is necessary to expand pipes and so on. Now they have postponed negotiations with Russia about this gas hub. Although, obviously, there is some talk around this,” Mikhail Yakubovich shared.
What can affect Turkey
Pressure from the West and NATO, increased military cooperation and the termination of military contracts – the expert named specific actions.
“Finally achieve the expulsion of the same Rosatom, at least from Turkey, and at the most from Hungary. Because these energy things are interconnected and there is a lot of money, big bills, big contracts,” he added.
Turkey's position: latest news
- Historian Soner Kagaptai noted that in order to win the elections, Erdogan needs to double his populist policies. And in matters of democracy, Turkey is not at all like Russia.
- Human rights activist Mark Feigin noted that now Turkey has come very close to a dangerous limit and the main issue for it is relations with official Moscow and Putin directly.
- Erdogan's balancing act between Ukraine and Russia will last until the election campaign in Turkey. It is important for him to be re-elected to the post of political scientist.
