Turkey and Russia in Ever Closer Cooperation
On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of additional economic sanctions against Turkey. The decision is related to the detention of American Pastor Andrew Brunson who faces terrorism charges and up to 35 years in prison if found guilty.
Regarding the Brunson case, the USA first ordered immediate released in early August, but Turkey refused. As a result, Trump raised taxes on Turkish imports, and then Turkey answered by freezing the assets of two US ministers. On Friday, Trump doubled metals tariffs on its NATO ally, provoking the fall of the Turkish Lira. The local currency has lost 40% of its value against the US Dollar in 2018.
This escalation in tensions epitomizes what has been happening for some time. Turkey and the US are going through a serious diplomatic crisis. “The fluctuation in the Turkish Lira is a plot against Turkey, but the Turkish people will not give in," Erdogan defiantly said on Sunday. He strongly criticized the US policy toward Turkish affairs. A few days before, one of his statements showed that the opposition was not only political, but also essential, indeed he said, "They may have their dollars, but we have our people, our god”.
Erdogan also pointed out the American support the Kurdish militia considered by Ankara as terrorist groups. "You dare to sacrifice 81 million Turkish people for a priest who is linked to terror groups?" He said
“We will respond to those who declared a trade war on the entire world and included Turkey in it, by steering towards new alliances, new markets," he declared. And they do. For years, Turkey has been cooperating more and more with the Russian Federation. All the more because they are facing the same issues. The Trump administration has imposed sanctions against several countries in recent months, including Turkey and Russia.
Politically, Turkey has more to gain by siding with Russia. Indeed, the US support Kurdish groups which are seen as a threat in Turkey. Additionally, it plans to play a key role in the Syrian peace negotiations as the West “has lost” there. Turkey, thanks to Russia, controls 90 km strip in Northern Syria where Turkey would like to send the Syrian refugees after the civil war ends. Some refugee camps have already been disassembled and rebuilt in this Syrian territory.
Yesterday and today, Sergueï Lavrov, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is meeting with his counterpart in Ankara.
Economically, business relations between Russia and Turkey have increased by 37% over the past year, all customs barriers have been removed and exports from Turkey to Russia increased by 47% while imports increased by 36%.
Turkey was also a guest during the last BRIC (Brasil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) meeting, which can be seen as an alternative group for Turkey.
It seems that every passing day, the US is pushing Turkey a bit more toward Russia.
By Antoine Dewaest
Photo: AFP Archive