The meeting between the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the Russian city of Sochi, on Friday last week, was marked by the discussion of many priority issues and several successful results.

The bilateral meeting brought to the fore the Ukrainian and Syrian crises, which are particularly worrying in the region, and revealed prospects for joint cooperation to solve problems.

It should be noted that after the last negotiations, Ukrainian grain will be exported to the world markets under the guarantee of the UN and Türkiye. Nevertheless, one more crucial moment in the meeting of the presidents attracted attention. So, while Russia is unable to act in the face of sanctions, it is the green card it has obtained in relation to the sale of both grain and fertilizer products on the world market. This opens doors for profit not only to Ukraine, but also to Russia, thanks to Türkiye.

So, we can say that Türkiye is one step ahead at the Sochi meeting. Given the deprivations Russia is experiencing due to sanctions, it has accepted dependence on Türkiye.

Knots on the Syrian border line

In addition, the reconciliation of Russia's interests with Türkiye also creates opportunities for Türkiye to use official Moscow as a main tool in the Syrian problem. In other words, by making Russia dependent on Türkiye, it cuts off a branch of the Assad regime in Syria.

It should be recalled that even before the tripartite meeting in Tehran, there was a discussion between Iran and Russia, another branch defending the Assad regime, on the removal of Türkiye from the borders of Syria. On that eve, Russia bombed several strategic and civilian areas from the sky of Idlib. In addition, Iran's official bodies and media sources did not hesitate to name Türkiye as the cause of the incidents.

After the Sochi meeting, it was once again seen that there is no other force left in front of Türkiye except Iran, which defends the Assad regime. Because Russia imagines Türkiye as a salvation while it struggles West's hardest sanctions.

What did the meeting promise about Karabakh?

Türkiye's influence in the region does not end up with the Middle East. This also served as a compensation for the prevention of conflicts that may arise in the South Caucasus, as well as in the region and the world. In particular, the outcome of the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the Zangezur Corridor and the unilateral settlement of the terror attacks by Armenian separatist groups in Karabakh came under the control of Türkiye. Although it is still a bit early to talk about it, the frail threads on the Russian side will reveal that Türkiye's rope is stronger and more reliable. In addition, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor is an irreversible issue for Türkiye. Although this does not please Iran being a close neighbour, it is very useful for Russia, which is desperate to get rid of West's sanction in every posible option. Because at the end of the roads stretching far east from Zangezur, Russia meets again Türkiye at the Great Wall of China. Russia can easily realise it and worries much about it. Therefore, the Kremlin will have no choice but to accept the truth in Karabakh.

Undoubtedly, as for Iran, which is distraught by the processes, religious discord and provocative scenes can always be expected. However, in the face of sanctions and the economic crisis, if both neighbouring states count with Türkiye and its inseparable ally, Azerbaijan, this will create conditions for both increasing their economic benefits and establishing stability in the region.

By Elnur Enveroglu

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