Russland und die Türkei – Pragmatismus und Kooperation in der post-amerikanischen Welt
Russia and Turkey – Pragmatism and Cooperation in the Post-American World

Summary/Abstract: The two countries look back at a century-long neighborhood and interaction. Wars, border conflicts and animosities between them were characteristic between the 17–19th century and World War I. During the interwar period, Soviet leadership backed the Mustafa Kemal-led national movement and the modernisation course of the Turkish government. During World War II, the relations deteriorated: Moscow launched territorial claims against Turkey and urged it to search for protection in the NATO. Later on, the economic cooperation and the political dialogue between Moscow and Ankara constantly grew, particularly after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The withdrawal of the US from active engagement in the Middle East under Obama caused the activation of Turkey’s export-oriented economy as well as Russia itself striving for the restoration of its great power status. Despite clear differences, Moscow and Ankara have been collaborating in Syria, Libya, the Caucasus and to some extent in the different contexts of the Ukrainian crisis.

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