“The sharp deterioration in relations between Moscow, Damascus and Ankara caused by the events in Syrian Idlib is alarming and worrying,” said State Duma deputy and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Elena Panina (United Russia).
According to Panina, the Turkish leadership understands that anti-government forces are defeated in the Idlib region, which leads to a reduction in the sphere of influence of Ankara in Syria. Moreover, Turkey’s direct military intervention in these events is politically disadvantageous for Ankara, since it may call into question a whole system of agreements between Russia and Turkey on a wide range of issues, including Kurdish.
In this situation, Erdogan sends a host of hostile signals to Russia – from harsh statements about Crimea to direct threats to carry out a military invasion of Syria.
“We can assume that ultimately Erdogan will want to receive compensation for the loss of influence in Idlib, in particular, he will try to expand the security zone on the Syrian-Turkish border and gain access to the oil fields that are now controlled by Kurdish formations with US support. At the same time, the Turkish authorities may raise the issue of legalizing the supply of this oil under the pretext of the need to maintain Syrian refugees in the country, ”the politician emphasized.