Russia-Turkey relations: a forecast for the future

Of course, today it is not a secret for anyone that the relations between Russia and Turkey, built for centuries, have undergone serious changes. They have deteriorated to the limit. In many respects this is explained by the incandescence of the international situation: a large-scale military and political knot that has been tied up from the Middle East to Ukraine can at any moment be unleashed and turned into a bloodbath.

Relations between Russia and Turkey are aggravated first of all by the fact that the country led by Erdogan, enlisting (albeit indirect) support for the North Atlantic bloc, illegally invaded the territory of northern Syria and began military operations there.

But the relevant resolution of Russia, addressed to the UN Security Council, Western countries and the United States did not support. What awaits the relations between Russia and Turkey in the future and why they are developing now under the "tight" scenario. Let's consider this issue in more detail.

Russian bomber destroyed

Relations between Russia and Turkey have worsened not only for the above reason. First of all, this fact contributed to the destruction of the Russian Su-24M aircraft. The culprit of this incident was the Turkish side, which, with the "land-to-air" missiles, attacked "an unidentified object that violated the airspace". In reality, the fighter carried out a peacekeeping mission and did not invade foreign territory. However, Turkish President Erdogan said that the incident with the Su-24M is frustrating and makes him think. At the same time, he does not hurry to establish relations with the Russian side, completely removing the responsibility for the destroyed aircraft.

Confrontation intensifies

It should be noted that the conflict between our country and Turkey was aggravated by other reasons.

Suffice it to recall the case with the watchman Smetlivy, who had to react with warning fire to a Turkish seiner going to ramming. One can not but be outraged by the fact that Turkey closed the Bosporus for Russia, as a result of which our merchant ships are forced out of schedule. In addition, the country Erdogan tried to prevent the drilling of Russian drilling rigs in the water area of the World Cup.

Adequate measures

Of course, our country could not but react to the aggressive and unlawful actions of the "Black Sea" neighbor. What was Turkey supposed to prepare for? Russia's sanctions did not take long.

First, Turkish citizens were deprived of the right to formalize labor relations with Russian employers. Secondly, the abolition of charter flights between our country and the Turkish state was introduced. Thirdly, tourist trips to the Black Sea country turned out to be banned. Fourthly, the visa-free regime was abolished with Turkey . Fifth, sanctions were imposed on certain types of vegetables, fruits, fish, seafood, which were imported from the country headed by Erdogan today.

Did Turkey suffer? Russia's sanctions proved that it was.

Armed forces

Why does Erdogan feel confident when he makes obviously unfriendly actions towards our country?

Of course, he feels (albeit indirectly) NATO support. Well, in order to achieve his interests in Syria, he is counting on his own Armed Forces. But is the army of Turkey and Russia comparable? Of course not.

For example, in our country the strength of the personnel is about 1 million people against 410 thousand Turks. The tank arsenal of Russia is currently at the level of 21,000 units, while the Black Sea neighbor has a little more than 3,000 units, almost half of which are technically obsolete.

A similar situation is observed with artillery and armored vehicles. Despite the fact that the army of Turkey and Russia are two different categories, but if we take into account the armor power of the two countries, the advantages in artillery and tanks go to the background. Why? Yes, all because Russia and Turkey do not have land borders.

The neighboring state is yielding to ours if we compare the potential of the air force. The Russian VCS has a serious bombardment power, which can seriously change the "theater of military operations", both on land and at sea.

And, of course, the fleets of the above-mentioned countries do not go into any comparison. Yes, someone can admire the arsenal of Turkish swimming vessels: eight corvettes, fourteen submarines, sixteen frigates. But other statistics can not help surprising: only on the Black Sea Russia has about fifty warships.

Loses Turkey to our country by the number of missile installations. Thus, by comparing Russia and Turkey from the point of view of military potential, one can conclude that Erdogan's army is strong and powerful, but it is clearly inferior to ours.

Double Standards Policy

Despite the high degree of quality of diplomatic relations between the countries mentioned above, Ankara does not disdain to use double standards in international affairs and does not miss the opportunity to gain material benefits, sometimes dealing with terrorist organizations.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that Turkey warms the bandits, who then commit crimes in the territory of Russia. The special services of Ankara provided every support to radical Islamists in the North Caucasus. It also became known that Turkey supplies militants with weapons and ammunition.

There was official information that Ankara is one of the important partners in the sale of oil, which is extracted by international criminal groups.

And all this is happening against the background of Erdogan's statements, the essence of which boils down to the following: it is necessary to strengthen the fight against terrorists.

Future

Can we talk about the imminent improvement of relations between Russia and Turkey? Most likely not. But to say that the parties intend to stop the dialogue, do not have to. This is proved by the fact that Moscow is ready to fulfill its obligations under the concluded contracts, and Ankara does not hurry to impose retaliatory sanctions. If we talk about options for economic cooperation, then most likely, the manual mode will be used here.

The final establishment of relations between Turkey and Russia will happen in the event that Erdogan and his team retire, and his successor will not be obsessed with the idea of reviving the Ottoman Empire.