From the Ukraine conflict over Syria to the Palestine question..
From the Ukraine conflict over Syria to the Palestine question..
On 26–27 May 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan paid a productive visit to Moscow. On the first day of his stay, Minister Fidan was warmly received by President Vladimir Putin. He also held meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s top negotiator in the Istanbul talks Vladimir Medinsky, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, and members of the Board of the Russian-Turkish Business Council.
The most substantive exchange took place between Hakan Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, during which the two ministers discussed bilateral relations and regional interests. A joint press conference followed their talks. The central themes addressed by Fidan and Lavrov included the following.
First, the settlement process of the Ukrainian crisis, in which Ankara continues to play the role of a key mediator. Both sides emphasized that the policy pursued by the EU is counterproductive, being largely shaped by the personal and self-interested ambitions of certain European leaders. Second, they discussed the ongoing situation in Syria. Both parties reaffirmed their active engagement with the administration of al-Sharaa and underscored their commitment to defending the unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Third, the ministers addressed Israel’s unlawful actions. They stressed that the international community must take all possible measures to halt the chaos currently being spread by Israel.
The warm welcome extended to the Turkish Foreign Minister once again underscored the high level of Russia– Türkiye relations. Moreover, in the current geopolitical climate, this partnership is proving to be mutually beneficial.
As previously mentioned, Türkiye serves as a principal mediator in the negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Ankara has repeatedly confirmed its role as a “peacekeeping hub”, and it is for this reason that Türkiye may become the decisive factor for the success of future talks.
Russian–Turkish cooperation also plays a crucial role in the post-Assad Syrian context. Following the end of the war, global actors have shown a sudden and intensified interest in Syria. Of note are Washington’s efforts to rebuild Syria’s oil sector. Under the proposed plan, the United States is set to control around 70%, while Syria’s share would account for less than one third. In other words, under this so-called “favorable agreement”, the US would effectively claim more than two-thirds of Syria’s oil sector.
Israel has likewise sought to assert itself in the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. According to a Reuters report dated 27 May 2025 (coinciding with Minister Fidan’s visit to Moscow), Israel and Syria have entered into direct contact and in recent weeks have held private meetings aimed at de-escalating tensions and preventing conflict along their shared border. This rapprochement is seen as a forced response to US policies in the region. This development suggests that Turkish and US interests in the Middle East not only diverge, but are, in some cases, directly opposed. Consequently, Türkiye’s position in the Middle East appears increasingly fragile without a strong ally, especially in light of opposing interests from the United States, Israel, Iran, and most of the Gulf monarchies.
In conclusion, it is therefore no coincidence that Türkiye has found such an ally in Russia. As outlined above, Ankara and Moscow share aligned positions on key issues. Furthermore, this alignment is reinforced by the warm personal rapport between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Vladimir Putin — a point also highlighted by both Lavrov and Fidan during their meeting. Continued cooperation between Russia and Türkiye offers both countries significant opportunities for advancing their geopolitical ambitions and consolidating their standing as emerging centers of power on the international stage.