Today's Zaman: The Russian gambit
On Dec. 1 Ankara welcomed Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin for a one-day visit that occupied the headlines of many international media outlets due to post-meeting statements, such as announcing the termination of the South Stream project.
What is the significance of this visit and how is it going to affect the future of Russian and Turkish relations? In order to address these questions, it is crucial to identify the national interests of both Russia and Turkey.
For Russia, the meeting was a significant milestone for many strategic reasons. The paramount goal was not only to implement Russian foreign policy, but also to strengthen its anti-Western position with a search for a potential ally.