The President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with President Erdogan in the Russian city of Sochi. Why Putin chose Sochi and not Moscow? The answer to this question was commented by the expert on the Middle East a terrace with ömer (Ömer Odemis).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Russia Vladimir Putin met in the Russian city of Sochi. One of the topics discussed was Syria. Erdogan said that the decision was made to create areas of de-escalation in Syria.
The Middle East expert, journalist Omer terrace with in conversation with Ali doğan Karajica (Ali Doğan Karacık) from Insan Haber commented on the summit meeting held between Erdogan and Putin.
The Russian tradition at the Moscow talks on an equal footing… And in Sochi?
Ali Dogan Karadzic: How do you assess the negotiations held between Turkey and Russia, and also decisions?
Omer a terrace withRussian contacts — a complete fiasco from the point of view of Turkey. It talks, at which Russia received the desired results. The holding of this meeting in Sochi was the signal. Putin and Merkel met in this city. In the Russian state tradition there is a principle: in Moscow, the Russian government is negotiating with those whom it regards as an equal, that is, if you are going to discuss anything on equal terms. In this regard, the choice of Sochi has a special meaning. Judging by the outcome of the negotiations to the agreements, Turkey has promised to remove duty on wheat, but when it comes to tomatoes, Russia has not made concessions.
Turkey cannot control any group
In the Syrian agenda refers to the areas of de-escalation. What groups can control Turkey, which should stop the clashes, in connection with the achievement of such an agreement on areas of de-escalation? Earlier, Turkey said that it can control “Ahrar al-sham” and “an-Nusra” (banned in Russia — approx. ed.) but it turned out he couldn’t. These groups are mainly in the area of Idlib.
Erdogan needs to pretend to believe
De-escalation is a method provided for the continuation of negotiations on the world, but I don’t think that will be the result. Because on the opposite side — not so much political entities with defined principles, as a terrorist group, ruthlessly killing people. All this has no chance of implementation. Russia put forward such proposals, guided by the field positions of the forces with which it interacts for the sake of political expansion. While the Turkish side did not win. For example, on the occasion of the Party “Democratic Union” (PYD), Erdogan said: “We have submitted documentary material. How so?” Putin responds: “Really? I don’t know about it.” The man standing at the head of Russia, which has such large-scale infrastructure that is able to completely control the battlefield in Syria from the air, can not know about such things. I do not think that Erdogan believes in it, but I guess he had no choice but to pretend to believe.
— What this agreement means that from the perspective of Syria?
— The Syrian government has knowledge that is filtered by the lessons of history. It does not quick representations, demonstrates quick reflexes, not to extremes. Even in such situations it does not go into unnecessary comments, because he knows that it may lead to nothing. The Syrian government understands that the implementation of these plans on creation of zones of de-escalation is impossible.
— What is the role of the Free Syrian army (FSA) in the agreement?
— PAS can not be called a group that has a weight on the battlefield. It is a symbolic group. Don’t be the Turkish military in El-Baba, PAS would not have lasted three minutes. The SAA has no military power. There are a few entities that are able to enter into a military confrontation with the Syrian government, such as ISIS (banned in Russia — approx. ed.). Other forces have no chance of a confrontation with the Syrian army.
PYD needs to act with the Syrian people
— How do you assess the fact that the PYD gave some of their positions Syrian army?
— When PYD handed over nine of its positions on the border with Turkey, Syrian army, it was a meaningful signal. If at the end of chaos occurring for the past seven years in the region, Kurdish forces do not want to be the losing side, they need together with the Syrian people, with whom they have historically co-exist, to take steps towards determining their future.
