At a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the steady development of relations between Russia and Türkiye, despite global challenges.

"Despite the current global challenges, relations between Russia and Türkiye are developing steadily. Although we have observed a slight decline in trade turnover over the past few months, it remains at a relatively high level of $55 billion," Putin stated.

Putin emphasized that major joint projects, including the Akkuyu nuclear plant, are progressing on schedule. He also noted the frequent interactions with Erdogan, saying, "We are in regular contact, exchanging views on the situation between our countries, the region, and the world as a whole."

Erdogan reiterated his invitation for Putin to visit Türkiye, to which Putin responded, "I will definitely come." Several of Putin’s planned visits had been postponed due to elections in both countries earlier this year.

However, tensions have arisen over Türkiye's military aid to Ukraine and compliance with Western sanctions against Russia. Putin's criticism of Türkiye's support for Ukraine, such as the supply of military equipment, has exacerbated these tensions. Additionally, Türkiye's lifting of objections to Sweden and Finland joining NATO further strained relations, with Russia viewing NATO expansion as a threat.

Economic ties have also been affected. Turkish banks ceased financial transactions with Russia due to the risk of U.S. secondary sanctions, leading to a 33% decline in Turkish exports to Russia in February 2024 compared to the previous year.

Despite these tensions, some joint projects like the Akkuyu nuclear plant continue to stabilize relations. However, the lack of progress on other initiatives, such as the construction of a gas hub, indicates underlying friction.

Türkiye and Russia have conflicting positions on several regional issues, including the Syrian Civil War and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Türkiye's actions in these regions often counter Russian interests.

Türkiye's efforts to balance relationships with Russia and Western countries, including its pursuit of EU accession and enhanced cooperation with the United States, have led to a more pro-Western stance that Russia finds unfavorable.

The relationship between Russia and Türkiye is likely to remain complex and multifaceted. While economic and strategic interests may compel both nations to maintain some level of cooperation, significant disagreements, particularly over military and geopolitical issues, will continue to pose challenges. (ILKHA)