Turkey voiced backing for Russia's administration amidst the Wagner coup peril, offering mediation services.
*Here's the lowdown on Turkiye's modern foreign policy with Russia, now that Erdogan's back in the game*
After a weekend of chaos as the Wagner mercenary group attempted a coup in Russia, Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stepped up, expressing his support for a peaceful resolution to the madness. Erdogan reportedly had a chat with Vladimir Putin, vowing that Turkiye would lend a helping hand to quell the chaos.
All this drama started after the Wagner group, who've been pissed at the Russian Defense Ministry for weeks over claims of inadequate supplies and support in Ukraine, decided to march on Moscow, urging Russians to unite against the government. Wagner stormed the city of Rostov-on-Don and sent a convoy rumbling towards the capital, with many Russians backing the mercs. The situation went from grim to Armageddon-like, with Russia looking closer to an all-out civil war than it has in a century.
But then, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko swooped in to cut a deal, and the Wagner hoodlums and their supporters scrammed off to Belarus, getting charges of treason pulled and evading punishment, thanks to Lukashenko's interference.
READ: Turkiye's cozying up to Putin and Zelenskyy****
Reports from Turkiye's Presidency's Directorate of Communications share that Erdogan and Putin had a heart-to-heart about Russia's chaos, with Erdogan urging cooler heads to prevail and promising Turkiye's assistance in finding a peaceful solution. The two leaders also warned against anyone exploiting Russia's internal turmoil.
While there's no solid word yet on how Turkiye might help Russia out, it's no secret that the two nations have partnered up on various fronts, beyond this recent mess. A quick peek into the regional issues reveals that Turkiye and Russia have discussed the South Caucasus and the Black Sea, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the table[2].
Turkiye's been a middleman in regional conflicts in the past, and it seems that they're focusing more on conflicts like the one in Ukraine lately. Turkiye hosted a meeting focused on post-ceasefire security and stability in the Black Sea, illustrating their continued role in regional diplomacy[3].
Turkiye and Russia also share close economic and energy ties that might influence their relationship. While no updates on how the coup attempt will affect these ties are available, folks are keeping a keen eye on how things unfold[4].
Turkiye's regional strategy is all about juggling relationships with various powers – Russia, the EU, and the U.S. Turkiye's decision to purchase the S-400 defense system from Russia demonstrated its independence in defense procurement, though it caused a rift with the U.S.[5]
So, while Turkiye may not be at the forefront of resolving Russia's coup attempt, it's clear that there's some behind-the-scenes action happening, and their ongoing diplomatic and economic engagement suggests a continuing partnership amidst the regional dynamics.
- Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan opposes any exploitation of Russia's internal turmoil, as stated during his conversation with Vladimir Putin.
- The Russian Defense Ministry has been under fire from the Wagner group for weeks over claims of inadequate supplies and support in Ukraine.
- Reports from Turkiye's Presidency's Directorate of Communications indicate Erdogan's intention to support a peaceful resolution, following his talk with Putin.
- The Wagner group, despite their disagreements with the Russian Defense Ministry, stormed the city of Rostov-on-Don and sent a convoy towards Moscow, causing tension.
- The United Nations (UN) could potentially be involved in this international incident, but no official statement has been made yet.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to work together in finding a peaceful solution to the chaos unfolding in Russia.
- The general news is abuzz with the developments in war-and-conflicts, particularly the coup attempt in Russia, and the role of foreign governments, including Turkiye's.
- Turkiye's readiness to assist in resolving the situation in Russia was expressed by President Erdogan during his conversation with Vladimir Putin.
- The events in Russia have sparked a need for increased military vigilance, according to political analysts, despite the Wagner group's retreat to Belarus.
- Turkiye's ongoing partnership with Russia, as seen in their joint ventures in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea, seems to be a strong factor in the country's reaction to the coup attempt in Russia.
