Slap in the face to the West and the “Turkish world”: why Erdogan wanted to become an intermediary between Ukraine and Russia

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed mediate in the settlement of tension between Ukraine and Russia. The Segodnya website has found out why Ankara should interfere in the conflict, why Moscow is against it, and what Kiev should expect.

Turkey is ready to become a mediator

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his readiness to become a mediator in resolving the tense situation that arose between Moscow and Kiev due to the increase in the number of Russian troops near borders of Ukraine… This was reported by the Daily Sabah newspaper.

“We hope that this region will not become a region of war. There could be mediation here. We would like to play our part in the solution by holding these negotiations with both Ukraine and Mr Putin.”, – said Erdogan.

What they say in Ukraine

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba supported the initiative of the Turkish President, noting that Ukraine would welcome any efforts that would help put an end to the war and return the territories of Ukraine, which are currently under the control of the Russian Federation.

“Ukraine remains committed to the work of the Normandy format, however, we have never rejected any proposals or initiatives of the ‘good officers’ proposed by other partners and friends. We are ready to work with such partners and coordinate efforts “, – said Kuleba.

The Foreign Minister also stressed that there should not be any agreements regarding Ukraine, adopted without Ukraine.

“This is the red line. Anything else is welcome.”, – emphasized the minister.

What they say in Russia

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov stated that it is impossible to resolve the conflict with the help of Turkey.

“Russia is not a party to the conflict in Donbass. The party to the conflict is, on the one hand, Kiev, and on the other hand, representatives of the self-proclaimed republics.”– Peskov explained to reporters.

The State Duma of the Russian Federation also noted that Moscow will abandon Ankara’s initiative.

“If he (Erdogan – ed.) Has any suggestions, given his informal relations with Putin and Zelensky, he probably can do something. In this situation, it is clear that the Russian side and Putin will also say: ‘listen , of course, it’s good that you got involved, if you solve the problems that the French president and the German chancellor did not solve, then please, be on your health. “If this is a trick that will allow Ukraine to leave and start talking about Crimea, then there is no need not that to communicate, but to talk in general “, – said Chairman of the Duma Committee for CIS and Eurasian Integration Leonid Kalashnikov.

The politician also noted that Russia and Turkey have disagreements over the ownership of Crimea and Moscow considers Turkey’s position unacceptable.

“We know Turkey’s position on this matter and we have nothing to do with such mediators in these negotiations. Negotiations can be conducted around Donbass if it is ready to influence the position of Ukraine, but nothing more. As for Crimea, Russia is not going to talk to anyone and will not”, – concluded Kalashnikov.

Aggravation of relations between Turkey and Russia

We will remind, Turkey officially refused to recognize the referendum in Crimea and the entry of the peninsula into the Russian Federation.

“We attach importance to the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, including Crimea, the annexation of which we do not recognize”, – said Erdogan in September at the UN General Assembly.

Also, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the results of the State Duma elections held in Crimea have no legal force for Ankara. In turn, Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia does not accept Turkey’s position and hopes for its change.

In addition, relations between Russia and Turkey have worsened after Ankara sold Bayraktar drone drones to Kiev.

October 26, the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the first time used “Flags” in Donbass than caused panic in Russia. Dmitry Peskov then said that the supply of weapons to the Ukrainian side leads to destabilization of the situation in the conflict zone, and the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that by selling such weapons to Kiev, the Turkish side feeds the militaristic sentiments of Ukraine.

In Ankara denied the accusations.

“We sell drones to whoever requests it. This deal is not against Russia.”– said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, adding that Ankara can sell drones to Moscow.

Why does Turkey need mediation in the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation

Political scientist Vadim Karasev believes that Turkey wants to join the big political game.

“Erdogan needs to gain a foothold in the region of the Black and Caspian Seas. This will strengthen Turkey’s political authority,” Karasev said.

Agrees with him political scientist Vladimir Volya.

“Demonstration of influence. Ankara has taken part in resolving conflicts in Libya, Afghanistan and Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey’s diplomatic presence is noticeable in Africa and Asia. Ukraine is important for Erdogan in his quest to create a” large Turkish world, “Volya tells us.

Political scientist Igor Petrenko adds that it is important for Turkey to resolve the issue of releasing the Tatars arrested by Russian law enforcement officers in Crimea.

“For Erdogan, this issue is important for future elections. According to various sources, there are 400,000 to 1 million Crimean natives living in Turkey who will vote for the next president,” Petrenko says.

At the same time, the political scientist does not exclude that Great Britain and the United States may be behind Turkey’s initiative.

“These countries understand that they cannot be moderators in the dispute between Ukraine and Russia, therefore they can push Turkey to create a new format of negotiations. Given the strong partnership between Turkey and Ukraine with the UK, I fully admit such a scenario,” Petrenko says.

Why is Russia against

Political scientist Karasev notes that Turkey’s participation in the negotiation process could be beneficial for Russia.

“If Turkey could resolve the conflict, which France and Germany could not achieve, it would be a kind of slap in the face for the West and would give Russia a reason to humiliate these countries in the eyes of the world community,” the expert says.

However, in his opinion, Moscow still will not allow Erdogan’s participation, because in this case, it will confirm that it is a party to the conflict, and not its mediator, as the Kremlin positions it.

“To involve Turkey as an intermediary between Ukraine and the Russian Federation means to publicly cross out all your arguments,” says Karasev.

What can Turkey’s mediation give Ukraine

Igor Petrenko believes that Erdogan demonstrates support for Ukraine’s position.

“In his statement on mediation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, Erdogan emphasized that he considers Russia a party to the conflict,” explains Petrenko.

In his opinion, Turkey, having joined the negotiation process, would still pay more attention to the release of Crimean Tatars from prisons than to the conflict in Donbass.

Vladimir Volya also agrees with him.

“Real mediation can be expected only in the subject of the release of a small number of Crimeans. It is unlikely that Erdogan will be able to influence the return of Crimea to Ukraine. Turkey recognizes the annexation of the peninsula, but does not impose sanctions against Russia. Probably, Erdogan’s statement will remain just words,” Volya summed up.

We will remind that in September in Sochi, negotiations took place between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting lasted 2 hours 45 minutes and was closed to the press. What the politicians talked about – read here.

Earlier, the Segodnya website reported that the Kremlin was unhappy with the statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about non-recognition of annexation Crimea.