Despite an episodic partnership, Russia and Turkey will remain rivals in the short term. This was stated by the director of the RUSSTRAT Institute, the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Elena Panina, presenting the report “Russian-Turkish relations in the context of the prospects of the new Ottoman Empire.”
Elena Panina focused on the past of Russia and Turkey, which for a long time fought for the same resources, applied similar strategies and left the imperial phase of their existence under the influence of the British Empire.
Elena Panina illustrated similar evaluative criteria and approaches of Moscow and Ankara in solving geopolitical problems using the example of “Strategic Depth” by the famous Turkish politician Ahmet Davutoglu. The deputy noted that the strategy of Turkey cited by the author is quite suitable for use by Russia:
“Both countries negatively assess the uniaxial pro-Western foreign policy, imposed alien value systems and peripheral role. Russia, as well as Turkey, while pursuing its foreign policy, prefers to rely on the historical and cultural heritage, strategic planning, return and expansion of the sphere of influence. ”
Nevertheless, Elena Panina specified, Erdogan prefers a preactive policy. He is sure that in this way he prevents conflicts, although, as practice shows, it is Turkey that creates conflicts.
“This is where the main difference of the strategic approach lies. Russia uses active measures only in exceptional situations, giving preference to a reactive policy, ”Panina stressed.
However, the deputy noted that despite the episodic partnership, Russia and Turkey cannot be strategic partners, since they want the same thing for themselves in the same territories.
“The countries will remain rivals in the near future,” concluded Elena Panina.