Russia’s presence in northern Syria, in the regions bordering Turkey, has started to damage relations between Moscow and Ankara. Professor Salih Yılmaz, a lecturer at Ankara’s Yildirim Beyazit University, warned in an interview with Lenta.ru.
The political scientist stressed that Russia has significant investments in Turkey. Besides, Moscow needs Ankara’s support in connection with the growing US military presence in the Black Sea. Yılmaz said that if Turkey does not receive the desired assistance from Russia in Syria, it will lead to negative consequences in the relations between the two countries and may even cause a crisis in the near future.
According to the Turkish political scientist, the rivalry between Russia and Turkey in Syria may lead to Ankara’s possible refusal to supply Russian weapons.
Earlier, it was reported that the Russian Defense Ministry is strengthening its regional aviation group in northern Syria due to the fact that Turkey may soon launch a new military operation there. According to Syrian opposition sources, one attack will be carried out in Idlib in the north-west of the country, and the second in the northeastern province of Al-Hasakah.