Why Turkey Needs Russia
The article "Why Turkey Needs Russia" delves into the multifaceted relationship between Turkey and Russia, emphasizing the essential nature of this relationship for Turkey across economic, security, and foreign policy dimensions.
In the aftermath of a diplomatic crisis triggered by Turkey's downing of a Russian fighter jet in November 2015, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's subsequent apology to Russia was driven by an intricate blend of factors. Economically, Russia holds significant importance for Turkey. The Turkish economy, challenged by high inflation, unemployment, and a rising current account deficit, suffered particularly in the tourism, agriculture, and construction sectors due to strained relations with Russia. For instance, Russia's suspension of visa-free travel and restrictions on Turkish businesses impacted these industries heavily. The recovery in bilateral ties led to the gradual lifting of these sanctions, although issues like the ongoing ban on Turkish tomatoes symbolize lingering tensions.
Energy projects, like the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant and the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline project, also felt the repercussions of the diplomatic fallout, underscoring the energy interdependence between the two nations.
Security concerns significantly influenced Turkey's rapprochement with Russia. Ankara's dissatisfaction with the U.S. and Western policies in Syria, especially regarding the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), deemed affiliates of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) by Turkey, pushed it closer to Moscow. Fearing the establishment of a Syrian Kurdish autonomous region near its border, Turkey saw cooperation with Russia as crucial. This shift in Turkish priorities led to operations like the Euphrates Shield offensive and a more collaborative stance with Russia in Syrian peace talks.
Furthermore, Turkey values Russia as a counterbalance to Western powers, especially in light of increasing Western criticism of Turkey’s domestic policies regarding human rights and the rule of law. The Turkish government’s inclination towards purchasing Russian defense systems, like the S-400, reflects a desire to assert its independence and diversify its alliances.
While improvements in Turkish-Russian relations are evident, underlying distrust, especially on Syrian issues, remains a challenge. Russia's stance on the PYD and PKK and its insistence on including PYD representatives in Syrian peace talks continue to be points of contention.
In summary, the article highlights the complex and strategic nature of the Turkey-Russia relationship, underscoring Turkey's reliance on Russia for economic stability, energy security, and geopolitical leverage, particularly in the context of the Syrian conflict and its broader foreign policy.