The Drivers and Potential Threats to Deepening Russia-Turkey Ties

The ongoing war in Ukraine is pushing Russia and Turkey closer together, but pitfalls could still derail their deepening ties. On Aug. 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Sochi for four hours, the second time in a month. The recent meetings between the two leaders reflect the value both Moscow and Ankara place on their bilateral relationship, which has only deepened since the former invaded Ukraine in February. Despite initially condemning the Ukraine invasion, Turkey has so far avoided imposing sanctions or taking any other concrete actions against Russia. This has enabled Ankara and Moscow to not only preserve, but strengthen, their economic and political ties throughout the course of the war....