Putin and Erdogan strengthen economic cooperation with focus on gas center in Türkiye (REUTERS/FILE)
The presidents of RussiaVladimir Putin, and TürkiyeRecep Tayyip Erdogan, held a telephone conversation this Sunday in which they discussed the expansion of their economic and trade cooperation, as well as key issues on the international agenda, according to official statements from both parties.
He Kremlin He highlighted that both leaders discussed the effectiveness of bilateral collaboration in the economic and commercial sphere, placing emphasis on the joint project for the creation of a gas distribution center in Turkey. This project, which seeks to position Turkey as a hub for the redistribution of Russian gas to third countries, was agreed in October 2022, with the Eastern Thrace region as a possible strategic location.
The Turkish presidencyfor its part, reported that Erdogan expressed interest in “improving cooperation in different areas, especially by increasing trade volume.” Furthermore, he reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to contribute to international efforts to end tensions in the region and support peace processes, referring to the conflict in Ukraine.
Although Turkey has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it maintains a neutral stance in the conflict and has not fully aligned itself with Western sanctions imposed on Moscow due to its dependence on Russian oil and gas. This approach has allowed it to play a mediating role in initiatives such as the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
The president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (REUTERS/FILE)
The last face-to-face meeting between Putin and Erdogan took place at the end of October in the Russian city of Kazan, during the group’s summit. BRICSwhere Türkiye expressed its intention to join the alliance composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In addition to economic issues, the telephone conversation included international issues in which both countries have shared interests, such as conflicts in the Middle East, although disagreements persist, especially regarding the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, a measure criticized by Ankara.
This interaction reinforces ties between Moscow and Ankara in a context marked by global tensions and the need for strategic cooperation in key areas such as energy and regional stability.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP/FILE)
Ankara publicly defends the need for a peace agreement between Moscow and kyiv to guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the peninsula Crimeaand Turkish factories provide kyiv with armed drones, an important weapon in this war. But at the same time, Türkiye maintains good political and commercial relations with Russia and does not apply the sanctions enacted by the European Union.
Erdoganrequested last week, from the summit of the G20 in Brazil, that the I’LL TAKE “reflect” on Russia’s new nuclear doctrine, which allows it to respond with atomic weapons to conventional attacks. “First of all, Using nuclear weapons in a war has no positive aspect. With the missiles he has used lately Ukraineyou see what happens, what could happen. This is certainly not positive at all,” the Turkish president said in a press conference.
“I think it’s a precautionary measure.” Russia in the face of a hostile attitude, in the face of conventional weapons. And I think that the NATO authorities should reflect on this measure by Russia, we should examine this step by Russia,” he said. Erdogan.
(With information from AFP and EFE)
Here are two PAA (Purpose, Audience, and Angle)-related questions for the provided text:
## Interview: Russia-Turkey, Partners in a Complex World
**Guests:**
* **Dr. Anya Ivanova:** Professor of Political Science specializing in Russia-Turkey relations at the University of Helsinki.
* **Mr. Kemal Özdemir:** Ankara-based political analyst and commentator on Turkish foreign policy.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News’ expert insights series. Today, we delve into the deepening economic and geopolitical ties between Russia and Türkiye, following the recent phone call between President Putin and President Erdogan. Joining us are Dr. Anya Ivanova, a leading expert on Russia-Turkey relations, and Mr. Kemal Özdemir, a renowned Ankara-based political analyst.
**Section 1: Economic Cooperation and the Gas Hub**
**Host:** Dr. Ivanova, the Kremlin statement highlighted the potential of a gas distribution center in Türkiye. Can you elaborate on the significance of this project and its broader implications for both countries?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
**Host:** Mr. Özdemir, how do you see this project fitting into Türkiye’s broader energy strategy, given its aspirations to become an energy hub?
**Mr. Özdemir:**
**Host:** Considering Türkiye’s dependence on Russian energy, what diplomatic leverage does this project offer Ankara in navigating its relationship with both Russia and the West?
**Section 2: Balancing Act: Türkiye’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict**
**Host:** Both Türkiye and Russia have expressed a commitment to peace in Ukraine. Dr. Ivanova, how do you assess Türkiye’s ability to act as an effective mediator considering its complex relationships with both sides?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
**Host:** Mr. Özdemir, can Türkiye sustain this delicate balancing act, especially with Ankara’s stated support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity while maintaining close economic ties with Russia?
**Mr. Özdemir:**
**Host:** Türkiye’s procurement and supply of armed drones to Ukraine has raised eyebrows in some quarters. What message does this send to both Russia and Western allies?
**Section 3: Looking Ahead: Future Prospects for the Russia-Türkiye Relationship
**Host:** Dr. Ivanova, considering the current international context, how do you foresee the Russia-Türkiye relationship evolving in the coming years?
**Dr. Ivanova:**
**Host:** Mr. Özdemir, what are the potential risks and opportunities that Türkiye faces in deepening its partnership with Russia, particularly in light of its NATO membership?
**Mr. Özdemir:**
**Host:**
Thank you, Dr. Ivanova and Mr. Özdemir, for your insightful perspectives on this complex and multifaceted relationship. The future of Russia-Türkiye ties will undoubtedly continue to shape the geopolitical landscape in the years to come.
