Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.7
By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:
Russia won't make compromise regarding the Syrian issue either with the US or Turkey, Yaakov Kedmi, diplomat, former head of Israel's 'Nativ' intelligence agency exclusively told Trend Oct.7.
"The complicated relations between Russia and Turkey are full of contradictions," he said. "Both countries have common problems with Europe, as well as common economic interests, but Turkey is a NATO member."
Russia supports Syrian's President Bashar al-Assad, sympathizes with Kurds, and speaks for secular Syria, said Kedmi, adding that meanwhile, Turkey pursues its own interests in Syria.
Nevertheless, both Turkey and Russia want to have influence on Syria, according to the Israeli diplomat.
The expert also touched upon the recent incident related to the violation of Turkey's airspace by Russian aircraft.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry said that the planes of Russian air forces, involved in the military operation in Syria, violated Turkey's airspace on Oct. 3. The aircraft of Turkish air forces carried out warning sorties following the violation of the country's airspace. After this Russian planes left the Turkish airspace.
Following the incident, Russian ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the country's Foreign Ministry to clarify the situation.
"Despite Russia's apologies, Turkey strongly reacted to the unintended (for a few seconds) violation of its airspace by Russian aircraft," said Kedmi.
In fact, Russia closed the Syrian airspace for Turkish air raids over the districts densely populated by Kurds as well, he added.
The expert said that the further development of relations between Moscow and Ankara will depend on Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ability to act logically and within his country's interests, but not impulsively.
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