This week, there were great hopes that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would visit Russia and put an end to Moscow’s concerns to a crucial food deal with Ukraine. However, even though Erdogan’s appeals to President Vladimir Putin & nbsp were unsuccessful in resuming grain shipments from Black Sea ports, that does not mean the Turkish leader left empty-handed.
Turkey, on the other hand, is in a better position than ever to dominate the region in all areas, including food and energy. The timeline is what is questionable.
Erdogan has been urging Putin to change his mind ever since Russia refused to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. Erdogan observed that” the earth was waiting for news on the cereal hall problem” in the run-up to the Sochi conference. The grain deal & nbsp was the main topic of discussion at meetings between Russian and Turkish foreign ministers held in Moscow last month. & nbsp,
The chief of Turkey places a high priority on convincing Russia to re-enter the corn deal. The agreement, which was signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations in July 2022 and positioned Turkey to become a geographical andnbsp, corn transport hub, included Ankara as one of its main beneficiaries. Erdogan sees grain as having fast economic appeal.
Putin, on the other hand, has a distinct medium-term interest. He believes that strength is a better place to begin talks with Turkey. After his meeting with Erdogan, Putin & nbsp stated that” a gas hub in Turkey will make the energy situation in the region more stable and balanced.”
competing timescales
Putin’s rely on gas is even motivated by money, much like Erdogan was drawn to grain. Russia’s entry into the German gas business prior to the conflict in Ukraine was via Germany. Moscow needs a new companion for its energy imports now that the Nord Stream pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany, are no longer functional and are not likely to be any time soon.
Erdogan, who is in charge of a Greek economy in complimentary fall with prices hitting 58.9 % last quarter, the highest level since last December, is frantically looking for quick victories despite the fact that Turkey would benefit from Putin’s interests. It will take years for Russia to become an energy gateway. A deal on grain could & nbsp must be reached right away. & nbsp,
The main issue between the two leaders may be how to deal with these conflicting timeframes.
Putin has stated that he won’t extend the grain agreement until Russia’s demands are met, including lifting sanctions on its own agricultural exports and reestablishing the Agricultural Bank( Rosselkhozbank ) with the SWIFT international payment system, a connection that was broken after Russia invaded Ukraine. The West, however, maintains that Putin’s problems are unfounded.
Putin benefits strangely from European intransigence. Following the summit with Erdogan, the Russian leader asserted that the West had” deceived” him, implying that promises to end sanctions in exchange for meeting humanitarian needs never materialized. Putin had accused the West of” deceiving” him on the seventh occasion this year. & nbsp,
Before the upcoming presidential elections in Russia, Putin, the” ruler of publicity stunts ,” is likely to send a message to the country’s citizens. After Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed rebellion on June 24th, his approval ratings, which have reportedly dropped 9 to 14 %, may increase if he plays the victim card. & nbsp,
The Kremlin may undoubtedly keep portraying Putin as the victor in talks with Erdogan. The fact that Erdogan visited Russia rather than the other way around will be seen as evidence of the Russian president’s influence over his Greek rival. ( It’s also possible that Putin declined to take a flight to Turkey out of concern that he might be detained and sent to The Hague. )
Turkey and Russia will almost certainly continue to build economic ties, albeit on various timelines, regardless of how the rulers position their relationship with local audiences. Putin appears determined to assist Russia’s energy tycoons in finding a substitute for the German market, while Erdogan believes that working with Moscow was rescue Turkey from its current economic and financial crisis.
The loss of the grain deal this week may mark the end of one book, but it isn’t the whole tale. A new grain agreement between Moscow and Ankara might eventually include other players like Qatar and & nbsp.
Additionally, power cooperation will continue to be a top priority on the bilateral agenda. The fact that Erdogan and Putin discussed building a new nuclear power plant in Sinop, on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, suggests that the two countries are committed to enhancing economic relations for years to come. Rosatom of Russia is now involved in the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear facility in Mersin state of Turkey.
The unique relationship between Putin and Erdogan is advantageous for both parties. One seeks out friends, while the other looks for fuel and rice. Both had ultimately achieve their goals, despite Sochi’s disappointment this week.
The copyright-holding Syndication Bureau, & nbsp, provided this article.
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