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Despite Rifts Over Syria Crisis, Turkey-Russia Ties Still Strong

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Russian President Putin met in Moscow just as news broke that a bombing in Damascus had killed Syria’s defense minister and his deputy. Tulin Daloglu reports that despite their differences over Syria, the leaders acted as though all was business as usual regarding their strategic partnership of strong trade ties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Moscow's Kremlin July 18, 2012. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS)

The expressions on the faces of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed little apparent convergence of views regarding Syria despite the dramatic developments unfolding in the Syrian capital.

The two met in Moscow Wednesday (July 18, 2012) just as news broke that a massive bombing in Damascus had killed Syria’s defense minister and his deputy — a relative of and close aide to President Bashar al-Assad.

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