Russian President Vladimir Putin received a letter from the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which the Turkish leader apologized for the downed Russian military jet and expressed sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased Russian pilot, as well as assured that Turkey will do its best to restore the traditionally friendly relations with Russia, jointly respond to crisis events in the region and fight against terrorism.
The director general of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies and Initiatives, an advisor to the Director General of the MIA ‘Russia Today’, Veronica Krasheninnikova, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the meaning of this step and how Russia will build its relations with Turkey in future.
"Erdogan's apology to the Russian side would be natural in November 2015, when the Turkish military shot down the Russian plane. The question is why Erdogan did it now. It is clear that he has very complicated relations with Washington and Europe. There is a civil war against Kurds within the country. And relations with Russia are at the lowest point in modern history. Especially considering its heavy losses from the Russian sanctions. Therefore, yes, apparently, Erdogan was forced to make this step, but what's behind it?" the analyst asked.
"Apology is a certainly good thing, but it is not the only Russian claim to Turkey We are aware that Ankara has provided military support to terrorist organizations in Syria and the Middle East over the last few years, we know that Ankara supports Crimean Tatar separatists, that it entered into an alliance with the Kiev regime to destabilize the situation in Crimea. We know about Turkey's actions in Central Asia. Turkey is conducting the extremist work in the Caucasus and many Russian regions with a Muslim population, hiding behind religion. So, return to business as usual with Turkey is not possible. We need to review the status of all our claims, and only after it establish relations with Turkey, but it will be a new quality of relations," Veronica Krasheninnikova said.
"The trial of Alparslan Celik, a member of the 'Grey Wolves', which shot the Russian pilot, essentially did not take place. And he was accused of carrying of weapons only. Therefore, Russia and Turkey still have to solve a number of fundamental questions," the director general of the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies and Initiatives noted.
Answering the question about Moscow's reaction to the apology, an advisor to the Director General of the MIA ‘Russia Today’ said briefly. "Perhaps at this stage we can confirm that the letter was received. Further steps will be made under new circumstances," Veronica Krasheninnikova concluded.
