Russia-Ukraine talks held in Turkey : Russian-Ukraine Conflict

 

Now this war turkey is immersed as an important mediator this is because it shares a very strong target with both Ukraine and Russia the question of course is what's at stake for the west Asian nation turkey acts as the gateway between Europe and Asia it is a country of many contradictions turkey is a member of the NATO military alliance at one point it was seen as a natural fit to even become a eu member. remember turkey has been wanting to get into the u for a very long time but there have been a few roadblocks when it comes to the turkey Russia relations they've changed over the ages Ankara calls Moscow a friend and over the years they've been on the opposite camps of the conflict in Syria Russia backed the Assad presidency while turkey was backing the opposing groups in adlib the two countries even battled for supremacy but money often speaks louder than ideology and currently Russia is one of turkey's main trading Partner the Turkish economy heavily Imports oil from Russia in 2019 that bilateral trade was almost about 16.4 billion dollars in turkey's biggest important Russia is of course a refined petroleum there's also a gas pipeline that flows from turkey to Russia the Turks stream is especially crucial as it changes gas flow in the region this by diverting the transit through Ukraine this also makes the region especially vulnerable if any farting breaks out in the black sea region then the pipeline will be in the line of danger now as for defense turkey has also purchased these pretty advanced s-400 anti-air defense missile systems from Russia it was heavily sanctioned by the united states Russia is also building a nuclear power plant in southern turkey as well it also relies very heavily on Russian tourism now what is interesting in this Turkey Russia equation is that turkey was also a part of developing the f-35 fighter jets along with the Americans but the Americans removed turkey from the f-35 program because turkey went on to purchase the s 400 missile defense systems now as for Ukraine turkey remains very close to trading in a strategic the company available makes the drones is even owned by Erdogan's son-in-law now in this conflict Edward is currently playing both sides he's condemned Moscow's invasion but he's not joined the west in imposing sanctions in Russia . Erdogan has also gone ahead to say that he cannot abandon either Russia or Ukraine because he sees both the nations as close allies the question of course is what is the leader trying to act as a regional broker and why is he doing it now if there is a breakthrough that turkey can of course mediate then Erdogan emerges as a big winner the west will of course lord his commitment to resolve the conflict and Ankara will of course be able to protect its considerable economic interests any breakthrough will help maintain the stability of the black sea its defense relations with both countries and also its oil and gas supplies