The president of Turkey is making waves with a recent comment to local media. He said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are “the only two leaders left” on the world stage.
It’s a stark comment from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as Turkey and Russia have been on opposite sides of the conflict in Syria — Russia backs fallen president Bashar Assad’s regime, while Turkey sides with the rebels.
Turkey is also a member of NATO, the U.S.-led alliance with dozens of countries in Europe. Meanwhile, NATO is worried about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether Putin wants to invade NATO members in the future.
Turkey and President Erdogan have spent the last few years trying to play both sides of the tension between the U.S. and Europe, and Russia and China. The country has been serving as an intermediary between the U.S. and the rebel groups establishing a new government in Syria.
However, President Erdogan has stayed closer with Putin than most other NATO members. In 2019, the two reached a deal for Turkey to buy Russian-made missiles. And after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russia allowed Turkey to delay its payments on Russian gas imports until 2024.
Turkey and Russia may soon have big roles to play in the global political space. The two are set to be key players on the future of Syria after the rebels have taken over.
And if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump wants to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine, the relationship between Erdogan and Putin could help broker a deal.
