"Turkey-Russia Relation is more Important than 10-Second Violation"

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We have spoken with Russian political scientist and Turkologist, Vladimir Avatkov, about the tension between Turkey and Russia resulted by Turkey shooting down Russian warplane on Syrian border, how Russian society sees the matter and future of Turkey-Russia ties.

Avatkov stating Russia used to see Turkey as “friend” and this move has been perceived as betrayal, expressed that it is hard for current relation between the two countries to improve as long as Justice and Development Party (AKP) is in power.

Here are some headlines from statement of Avatkov speaking to bianet:

“Turkey-Russia relations were economical”

“Turkey-Russia relations were improving rapidly in the recent years. While the basis of the improvement was economical, there wasn’t much progress in the other areas, notably in security.

“Thus, any step concerning security or geopolitical areas could have damaged the ties between the two countries.

“The cause in question from Russian point of view became Turkey’s shooting down the Russian warplane on Syrian border”.

“Russia used to trust Turkey”

“Russia was believing Turkish administration whilst fighting against ISIS so much that warplanes didn’t even have escort fighter airplanes.

“Russia wasn’t prepared for being stabbed in the back”.

“Neo-Ottomanism games of Erdoğan…”

“I had believed as expert of Russian administration and Turkey that the two countries could have left the old disputes behind, but now disappointment has replaced the belief.

“According to Russian General Staff, Russian warplane didn’t violate Turkish air space, and that once it had violated it immediately apologized.

“Even though Russian General Staff is mistaken and Turkish side is right, I believe Russia-Turkey relation is more important than this 10-second violation.

“However, our relations have fallen victim to neo-Ottomanism games of President of Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan”.

“The possibility for Russia to forgive the betrayal is low”

“I would like to say that such an attitude is perceived as betrayal by Russia and the possibility for Russia to forgive betrayals is low.

“For [Russian] public authorities, Turkish regime has become a regime hard to shake hands”.

“Turkey should understand Russia”

“I want people in Turkey to understand it correctly whilst there is a serious anger in Russia.

“What would Turkey do if your plane was shot down by a friend and your pilot killed?

“But still, we need to think strategically for the future”.

“Difficult with present government”

“As a Turkologist, I will do my best for Turkey-Russia relation to improve in due course. However, from Russian perspective it unfortunately seems difficult to achieve it with the government in Turkey.

“Despite all, we shall be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel though no light seen in the near future”.

About Vladimir Avatkov

Vladimir Avatkov is Director of the Center of Oriental Studies, International Relations and Public Diplomacy, Senior Lecturer at Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and MGIMO. (EKN/TK)