Turkey, Russia to consolidate united stand against US sanctions

World
Europe

06:19

Joint energy projects and increased economic interactions are part of the renewed efforts taking place between Turkey and Russia. The two countries are eliminating barriers that remain in place since relations soured after the downing of a Russian fighter jet in 2015.

Ankara's efforts come at a time when its ties with Washington continue to worsen. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday. They agreed to cooperate on trade and on issues related to Syria.

"Of course, we have seen this trend very clearly," said He Wenping, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and an expert in West Asia. "This is the thing those two countries want to be united about, not only political support, but cooperation in real terms."

Last year, Turkey chose Russia over NATO for a missile defense system. He Wenping said the military cooperation between the two countries is a strong reaction to the United States and NATO because they see it as a significant security concern.

According to He Wenping, Washington's pressure on Ankara is connected to efforts to cut any help and support going to Iran. She added this isolation of Iran is central to the US Middle East policy. The Trump administration pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in May and has since re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

Following an invitation by the UN Special Envoy, Iran, Russia, Turkey and Syria's Constitutional Committee will meet in Geneva next month. He Wenping suggested the meeting may not bear fruit, but simply having the meeting sends the message that the negotiating mechanism between the countries continues to exclude US influence in Syria.