Putin Breathes Sigh of Relief After Erdogan's Reelection, Sends Congratulatory Call: "Looking Forward to Developing Bilateral Relations"

First to Congratulate Among World Leaders
Concerns Persist Over Prolonged Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a congratulatory phone call to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye, on his re-election. Following his congratulatory message sent earlier, which was the first among world leaders to acknowledge Erdogan's re-election, the phone call once again showcased the camaraderie between the two leaders. Concerns are emerging that with the long-term rule of the pro-Russian Erdogan president, the war in Ukraine may also be prolonged.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to TASS news agency on the 29th (local time), President Putin spoke with President Erdogan and emphasized, "The election results will benefit the people of Turkiye," adding, "The support of the Turkiye people has opened a new path for the development of bilateral relations in various fields."

Earlier, upon hearing the news of Erdogan's re-election, President Putin sent a congratulatory message as the "dear friend," being the first among world leaders to do so. This is interpreted as Russia escaping a situation of complete isolation in Europe due to the re-election of the pro-Russian Erdogan.

With this re-election, President Erdogan has succeeded in extending his rule for an additional five years until 2028, and if an early presidential election is held during his term, he could remain in power until 2033, opening the path for long-term governance.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

With Erdogan’s long-term rule secured, Turkiye is expected to remain a pro-Russian country for a long time, raising concerns that the war in Ukraine will be further prolonged. Although Turkiye is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it has not joined the sanctions against Russia and has even been criticized for facilitating Russia’s indirect trade.

As the NATO member with the second strongest defense capabilities after the United States, Turkiye’s continued non-participation in sanctions against Russia is expected to limit the pressure on Russia. Turkiye has not halted trade with Russia and continues to prioritize it. Moreover, the participation of a Russian state-owned company in Turkiye’s first nuclear power plant construction project has sparked ongoing controversy within NATO.