The images that emerged from that meeting are few but clear: Azov procession they hug their wives, they run to take their children on their backs. There are endless kisses and tears. For months they had been held besieged, almost sentenced to death, at the Azovstal facility in the port of Mariupol. Russian Army who conquered the entire city and had to deal only with a small resistance doomed to defeat.
The meeting was held last October, a month after the men’s release, and although all the soldiers, women and children were Ukrainian, the meeting was not held in Russia. Ukraine region but an uncertain place Turkey.
Since then, these meetings have continued to be held, now without spotlights or cameras. Always in Turkey, away from war Ukraine. And it will continue to be like this: 215 Ukrainian soldiers Those who defended the Azovstal factory and were exchanged for 55 Russian soldiers will not be able to return to their country until the war is over. This Russian situation for the deal prisoner exchangeIt was achieved with the mediation of the Anatolian country.
One year after the start of the invasion of Ukraine, only one Bridge connecting West and Moscow; and this will pass Ankara, Capital of Turkey. “Turkey is trying to use it” russian invasion to increase regional influence and uses a global mediating role,” writes Ukrainian analyst Ilya Kusamember ofthink tank Carnegie International. “Ukraine grain agreement signed Istanbul He set a precedent in July 2022. Russia is ready to implement small commitments in exchange for the relaxation of sanctions and apparently has no objections Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the role of mediator. Ukraine does not seem to oppose this mediation,” he said.
two bands
Therefore, the Erdogan government has been playing both sides since the beginning. While Turkey was sending military aid and selling Bayraktar UAVs, KyivIt has been the only NATO country to refuse to impose it. Sanctions on RussiaIt has also kept its economy and doors open to all Russians who want to leave their country or take their money from there.
It is true that Ankara has few options: to impose sanctions on Ankara’s country amid an inflationary crisis. Vladimir Putin would sink another economy He’s already in serious trouble.
Erdogan in recent months meetings and phone calls Fixed with Putin. The two are friends and as the war in Ukraine escalates, the two leaders have agreed to further link their economies. For example, Russia is building the first. nuclear power plant in turkeyand to overcome the difficulties of exporting to Europe, it agreed to sell its gas to Ankara on favorable terms.
However, there are risks for Turkey. This month, a senior government official US Department of the Treasury went to the country to send a warning: Companies and governments that make deals with sanctioned Russian companies will be punished secondary sanctions.
“Individuals and institutions operating in overly permissive jurisdictions are at risk of potentially losing their access. G-7 country markets “in response to doing business with sanctioned entities,” he said.
“This is not a surprise… Russia is actively trying to use its power in the region. historical economic relations It’s with Turkey. Now the question is, what will happen? Turkish answer‘ said this anonymous source.