Politician Konstantin Zatulin explained Erdogan’s rudeness towards Russia

The implementation of the project for the construction of a plant for the production of Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci strike drones, as stated in Ukraine, has already passed into practice. The Turkish company Baykar has already bought a land plot for this. The total area of ​​the Baykar center in Ukraine will be more than 30,000 square meters. Production is expected to start by 2025.

If someone says that this is just a private initiative of Turkish entrepreneurs, “nothing personal, just business”, “it’s profitable – that’s what they are building” – I must disappoint such a person. The co-owner of Baykar Makina (along with his brothers) is Erdogan’s son-in-law Selçuk Erdogan. So it’s a family business. And in Turkey, as you know, the family is the basis of everything. No notorious “freedom of business”: if Erdogan doesn’t want it, the plant will not be built.

Let me remind you that the Russian ambassador was killed in Turkey. Such incidents often became a pretext for wars. Let me remind you that the reason for the start of the First World War was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. In 1953, the USSR severed diplomatic relations with Israel. Then the reason for this was the fact that a homemade bomb exploded on the territory of the Soviet embassy in Tel Aviv. But at the same time, no one died, three employees only received minor injuries. But Turkey got away with everything, although the assassination of the ambassador is an unprecedented case.

About why Erdogan allows himself such behavior towards our country, we talked with First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs Konstantin Zatulin.

– Why is Erdogan behaving this way towards the Russian Federation? Is it unprofitable for him to cooperate with us?

– Erdogan always acts in the same way: weighing the benefits and risks. It seems to me that the risks from complicating relations with the Russian Federation are becoming smaller, and the benefits from such decisions are becoming larger. Very simple math. Because there are no sentimental motives in relations between Russia and Turkey, at least from the Turkish side.

– That is, Türkiye does not risk anything, as he thinks?

“Maybe she’s taking some risks, but she’s winning a lot more, he thinks. Because it strengthens its cooperation with the West, receives some economic benefits in Ukraine, which is ready for anything, if only it would be supported.

Erdogan is probably sure that we will not react in a way that is painful for Turkey and will not curtail the programs that have already been launched. And in this he was right.

The press secretary of the president has already said that a number of our programs have nothing to do with what is happening. This is both a nuclear power plant project and a gas hub – that is, those projects where the Russian Federation and Turkey, not being allies, benefited by supporting each other, because it strengthened them.

For us, Türkiye remained a window to the outside world when other windows were closed. We are involved with Turkey in relations on Syria, we are trying to build some kind of agreements. We need a free hand there. Therefore, the Russian Federation tolerates everything that Türkiye does.

– Are we so critically dependent on Turkey?

– I think if we did not have a certain dependence on Turkey, we should have reacted long ago. I believe that much of what has happened recently in the Caucasus, in relations with Turkey, required a tougher response. But, based on long-term interests and the desire not to “aggravate” problems in the conditions of the NWO, we are being cautious.

How far this caution will go and whether there is a line beyond which a certain reaction will follow, this, of course, is entirely the prerogative of our supreme power. The President is the guarantor of foreign policy and he is quite well versed in this matter. I am sure that some action will be taken.

– And what will happen to the grain deal?

– There is an opinion that all this is in retaliation for our statement on the grain deal. I think that the grain deal has continued so far, because, despite the obvious problems with its implementation, including security problems for our Crimean coasts, we had a certain interest in it. Whether she remains now or not, I cannot judge.

Whether we have coped with this task or not, whether the advantages of the grain deal outweigh its disadvantages – for this we need to know the situation in agriculture with grain reserves, problems of its storage and transportation.

– It’s no secret that we have a powerful pro-Turkish lobby. Are some decisions regarding Turkey related to his influence?

– Our policy is determined by ideas about what is good and what is bad, which is at the very top. Probably, performers at different levels contribute. Over the years of work with Turkey, a certain number of people have grown who are closely connected with it and who protect its interests. But I hope that we do not fall prey to lobbyists and manipulators, but proceed from the national interests of our country.

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