Russia and Turkey have formed a stable strategic partnership in the Middle East region, the member of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Alexei Pushkov told the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, commenting on the president Vladimir Putin's visit to Ankara.
"Now it is legitimate to talk about a sustainable strategic partnership between Russia and Turkey on a regional scale. Yes, I believe that it is stable, and this state of affairs is certainly in Turkey's interests, which shows the intensity of communication between the presidents of Russia and Turkey. It also in Russia's interest, because Turkey is one of the key countries for the final settlement of the Syrian conflict. In addition, it is our major economic partner," Alexei Pushkov explained.
According to the senator, Moscow and Ankara managed to find a common language in those areas where they had differences before. "Yes, of course, we had difficult moments in Russian-Turkish relations, but they had been overcome. I think both sides came to the conclusion that it is necessary to continue strategic cooperation," he stressed.
At the same time, Alexei Pushkov noted that the opportunities for Russia's integration with Turkey are naturally limited by Ankara's membership in the North Atlantic alliance. "We cannot talk about a strategic alliance because Turkey is part of NATO and I do not see the possibility of it leaving this organization. It is part of the alliance within the framework of concluded agreements, while it has a strategic partnership with Russia in the zone where NATO is not represented and not able to solve any issues, as in Libya and Afghanistan," the senator said.
"Erdogan came to the conclusion that it is necessary to interact with the leading regional players in the Middle East, and not with an alliance that does not play a significant role there. Hence Erdogan's interaction with Iran and Russia in Syria. I think the Moscow-Ankara bunch will remain stable for the near future," the member of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security concluded.
