The US analytical publication Counter Punch wrote about the causes of the provocations against Russia. The incident with the Russian warplane shot down by Turkish fighters on Tuesday not only highlights the danger of conflict between the parties participating in the armed conflict in Syria, but also poses a threat of war between the US and Russia.
It is inconceivable that the Turkish authorities acted without consulting with their US counterparts before bringing down a Russian military aircraft. The evidence of the provocative nature of the incident is that the West is focused not on the threat posed by the Islamist militant groups, notably by Islamic State, which scored several major victories in Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility for the collapse of the Russian Boeing in Egypt and the terrorist attacks in Paris, but on the growing influence of Russia in the international political arena. President Barack Obama said recently that ISIS ‘’cannot deal a fatal blow," and that the only correct method of fighting it is a "lack of fear of the radical groups." That means, according to the United States, that the potential threat comes from Russia, the only country in the world that tries to resist the terrorist threat with real and effective methods.
Meanwhile, the US continues to supply the rebels in Syria with weapons, which many analysts believe only reinforces international problems and the threat of terrorism for the United States, first of all. Meanwhile, Russia continues to strengthen its influence, even despite the provocative actions of the US in Ukraine and Syria. By challenging US hegemony, Moscow has made its choice in favor of an independent domestic and foreign policy, aimed at the comprehensive development of the state. That is not satisfying Washington, whose leaders cannot afford some state in the world claiming either economic or strategic superiority.
Despite some kind of diplomatic and military opposition from the United States, Russia continues its consistent struggle against international terrorism, the results of which are already visible to the world community. It is obvious that the Russian leader is going to confidently defend his position, even if the provocations on the part of the US and NATO continue.
The Turkish publication Hurriyet wrote about what will happen to Russian-Turkish relations after the incident with the downed Russian military aircraft. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that after the Russian plane was shot down by a Turkish fighter, Russia might consider the abolition of some of the important joint projects with Turkey. This message, of course, first of all, is concerning for the Turkish side, which though leaning towards the alliance with NATO, is still a business partner of Russia.
Turkey fears that Turkish companies may lose the Russian market as a consequence of the prohibition of the work of Turkish companies in Russia. However, most likely, the escalation of conflict between Moscow and Ankara will primarily lead to the rejection of a number of existing and planned energy projects between Russia and Turkey. Today it is not known whether the construction of a nuclear power plant in Turkey by the Russian company Rosatom will be continued or not. In addition, the project ‘Turkish Stream’, which is already repeatedly postponed because of disagreements about the price and also because of uncertainty about the political situation in Turkey, most likely won’t be implemented at all.
Russia is Turkey's biggest market for construction companies. In case of deterioration of relations between the two countries, the Turkish construction sector may become one of the most affected. About 4% of Turkish exports go to the Russian market. That is, Russia is ranked seventh among the countries to which Turkey sells its products.
That is, the consequences of the severance of economic relations with Russia, first of all, will have a very negative impact on the Republic of Turkey. In addition, a day after the tragedy occurred the Western countries expressed very reservedly their opinion in favor of prevention of an aggravation of the international conflict. That is, Turkey, in fact, was not supported in its actions either by the EU or by NATO. Perhaps that is why the Turkish side is doing everything possible to resume relations with Russia. However, in this regard the decision will be made by the injured party, which in this situation appears to be Russia.
