Thread by @m_suchkov

THREAD: #Russia-#Turkey-#Iran
The latest update on developments in "Astana trio"

President Putin had 2 phone calls couple of days ago – first w/ @RTErdogan, then w/ @HassanRouhani

1/ Rouhani thanked Putin for #Russia/n aid to #Iran to combat #COVIDー19.
#Moscow,#Tehran setting up contacts b/n relevant gov deps, incl direct contacts b/n healthcare ministries.

2/ #Iran supports #Russia/n initiative to establish so called “green corridors” for the time of pandemics. They should serve for "unhindered supplies of medications, equipment and technology" and "to introduce a moratorium on any restrictions on exports of essential goods."

3/ #Putin & #Rouhani also discussed bilaterals & #Syria, yet #Kremlin’s presser gives an impression that nothing outstanding came out of the exchange except for the two reiterated intent to work within Astana format.

4/ The conversation w/ #Erdogan, however, seems to have been more intense. The two also started off w/ the #coronavirus issue and agreed on gov-to-gov cooperation on this challenge. #Moscow is also concerned over safe return of #Russia/n citizens from #Turkey

5/ The talk on #Syria was meticulous.
#Putin insisted #Erdogan should comply w/ old/new obligations on demolition of #HTS in #Idlib and tried to convey RUS won't like a new TUR offensive on #Syria/n positions. Erdogan warned of such possibility recently aawsat.com/english/home/a…

5/ Yet the conversation then reiterated importance of #Russia-#Turkey relations,joint projects nuclear energy,expansion of coop in agriculture & transport.
This brings me to share thoughts on 2 particular aspects of RUS-TUR relations that have been exposed in recent years

6. One has to do w/ personal relationship b/n two presidents. In 2019, #Putin met with #Erdogan more than with any other foreign leader.
Both came to power in early 2000s.
Both led their countries thru a series of political experiments that have had far from universal approval.

7/ Both embody changes in world order that taken place since Cold War which the West finds hard to stomach.
Both enjoy surprising others-media,politicians,experts-not necessarily in a good way.
Both know how to pretend they get along in order to improve rels b/n their 2 nations.

8/ Yet the greater disconnect b/n the rosy picture presented to/by the media & the real discord,the more fragile #Russia-#Turkey rels
'Tis noticeable esp in times of crisis when public narratives in 2 countries leap from “strategic partner” to “historical enemy” within days

9/ On the other hand #Russia-#Turkey manage to keep the relationship flexible. At the heart of the flexibility is [cynical] pragmatism on both sides, and the conviction that grudging cooperation is more beneficial to #Moscow and #Ankara than conflict.

10/ At a time when the international system is becoming de-Westernized, #Turkey sees #Russia as a resource it can use to strengthen its own strategic sovereignty, while Russia sees Turkey as a tool for increasing its own authority as a great power.

11/ This flexibility so far protected #Moscow & #Ankara from more dangerous clashes. The dialectic of "fragility and flexibility" could become the norm in RUS-TUR interaction for a long time to come. Each new crisis will test over again which aspect of the relationship stronger/