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In relations with Ukraine and Russia, for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, money is more important, and Russia gives money. Such an opinion was expressed by the director of the Center for Middle East Studies, Igor Semivolos, on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel.
He confirmed that economic history plays into the hands of Erdogan – negotiations with Putin, with Russia, various flows, exchange within the framework of the grain agreement, Turkey already kind of agrees to receive grain from Russia and process it into flour. Certain businesses are also based on this.
“And just as it plays into Erdogan’s hands, it is extremely important for Erdogan to launch a nuclear power plant. And all other things related to his promises. And we know that, say, such grandiose projects of Erdogan, they have largely undermined the economy. And so many of Erdogan’s critics focus on this. And Putin, on the contrary, he plays along with Erdogan, he just speaks in this, let’s say, pro-Russian segment, the press hears a lot of very complimentary words addressed to Erdogan. And just Russia is doing everything in order to somehow indicate its influence on this process and the importance of this particular union of Turkey and Russia in winning the elections. Right now, of course, Erdogan, of course, needs victories,” says Semivolos.
The expert noted that Erdogan’s finest hour and finest time was in March-April last 2022, when Turkish policy played an extremely important role, and the next step related to the grain agreement.
“There is this feeling that you can play and win on this field, and that you can take advantage of the uniqueness of your position in order, on the one hand, to continue to be in, let’s say, in the company of gentlemen, but, on the other hand, to receive quite large profits on trade with Russia. This feeling, it, of course, turned the heads of Turkish politicians, and they are trying to return it, this feeling of such glory. And now it already looks somewhat in the past tense, because, of course, Erdogan can’t offer anything like that, ”Semivolos said.
At the same time, it is extremely important that Ukraine is already forming a list of issues for negotiations with Turkey.
“Because in any case, we have shown that this whole story will end with a Ukrainian victory, end with the revival and restoration of Ukraine with big contracts. And if Turkey, but for a moment, Turkey is extremely interested in this, if Turkey wants to participate in the restoration of Ukraine, then it should respond accordingly. Including when it comes to the whole range of issues,” summed up Igor Semivolos.
See also: Erdogan sits on two chairs regarding position towards Ukraine and Russia, – international expert
Recall that earlier Semivolos expressed the opinion that the current President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is a very strong politician, and the chances of his re-election are high, despite the difficult situation in his country.
