How long more will the tension between Russia & Turkey last?
No one can say the relations between Russia and Turkey have been particularly favorable throughout history. In fact the two countries have experienced tough clashes during the Ottoman Empire time and caused serious damage to each other to nurse hostilities that could probably last for many more years to come.
At present history seems to have repeated itself and Turkey and Russia have been going through a period during which the hostility between two leaders, namely PUTIN and ERDOĞAN are observed to literally hate each other.
This term of “harsh” hostility was triggered after a Russian jetfighter had been shot down by Turkey followed by mutual accusations and threats from both sides etc. The question now is “how long will it last before both parties realize the two countries are in bad need to restore the deteriorated relations
Good news is we understand some steps have been taken in the past few weeks that aim to ease tensions between Turkey and Russia.
Among such steps are following; A Turkish newspaper reports both countries have agreed to build monuments to those soldiers who died in each other’s territory during the numerous conflicts over past centuries. It is also reported that Moscow has lifted a ban on flights to a Turkish tourist destination.
It is obvious as mentioned above major mutual interests are in questions and these require mutual understanding and compromises from both parties.
If we should express it more clearly “Russia needs Turkey as it’s a big market for Russian export goods gas to be in the first place, as well as Russian investments”.
On the other hand “Turkey is in need of a partner like Russia, mainly due to the size of the Russian market for some Turkish export goods as well as Russian tourist who have contributed to Turkish tourism revenues substantially in the recent years. Last but not least Russian construction sector is of vital importance for the Turkish contractors who bring in substantial amounts of revenue each year.
Despite these facts a solid positive approach between the two countries does not seem likely to come in the close future as the conflict has turned into a major hostility between a very strong leader like PUTIN and ERDOĞAN who is well accustomed to dominating everything and has been enjoying a dictating power in his own country, for quite q while. Thus the issue which has converted into a personal clash between these two personalities obviously requires more than explained above before two countries can make friends again.
On the other hand Russia has already stipulated its conditions before it gives green light to a peaceful understanding and practice between two countries again. In the first place Russia demands that Turkey apologizes for having downed the Russian plane and prosecutes and penalizes the Turkmen killer of the pilot of the plane. Obviously Russia demands that Turkey also pays a a compensation in regards.
However despite a few signs of normalization between Turkey and Russia one cannot say there is much reason to expect that normalization will happen anytime soon, as the issue has become rather personal between Erdogan and Putin, and they seem to have cornered one another. One thing is obvious though the apology Putin is asking for seem not very likely to come from Erdogan anytime soon.
Editor
