No. 179: Russia-Turkey Relations

Author(s): Şener Aktürk, Toni Alaranta, Dimitar Bechev
Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perović, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder, Aglaya Snetkov
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 179
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University
Publication Year: 2016

This edition considers Russia-Turkey relations, against the backdrop of the escalation in tensions that has followed the downing of a Russia Su-24 bomber by Turkey in November last year, and the subsequent claims and counter-claims about whether it had violated Turkish airspace. Firstly, Şener Aktürk argues that the Su-24 incident should be not be interpreted as the cause, but rather as a symptom, of the crisis in relations that has been growing since 2008. Secondly, Toni Alaranta outlines that although their economic interdependence would suggest that both Russia and Turkey should be seeking a normalization in relations, their opposing long-term strategic goals in Syria and perceptions of betrayal and humiliation on the Russian side mean that a de-escalation is currently nowhere in sight. Thirdly, Dimitar Bechev points to the complexity of Russia-Turkey relations, noting that while analysis suggesting that the two countries were allies before the Su-24 incident was off the mark, we should also not jump to the conclusion that they are now sworn enemies.

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