Cease-fire
The relationship between the two countries has improved considerably over the years, also because Turkey, as a NATO member, refuses to participate in Western sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, according to Bosman, the two countries have important economic ties. And not only that, because Turkey is also seen as an important mediator in the conflict with Ukraine and the country plays a role in the wheat deal concluded between the UN, Ukraine and Russia.
“Turkey, as crazy as it sounds, is an ally of both Russia and Ukraine”
The Russia correspondent suspects that Erdogan may push for a ceasefire during the visit. “Turkey is not happy with the conflict because the country is also an important ally of Ukraine and supports, strange as it may seem, both countries,” Bosman explains. “It is therefore possible that Erdogan is insisting on this behind the scenes, but the question is whether Putin will listen to him too.”
Desperate case
At the same time, the Russian president has indicated that he is open to an appeal by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to urge Russia to quickly withdraw from Ukraine. According to Bosman, Putin has chosen to enter into dialogue now, because in this way he can show his supporters that he is being approached and does not have to ask for it himself. “It shows that the West is coming to him and with that he can make a beautiful home decoration.”
“Maybe Putin is now counting his buttons”
But it cannot be ruled out that Putin is starting to see things turning hopeless in Ukraine, including for the Russian military, Bosman says. “Maybe he’s even counting his buttons and saying something else should be tried. However, expectations of the talks are low from both Berlin and Moscow,’ explained the correspondent from Russia. “The most important thing is for people to speak up again, because that’s not happening right now.”