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Turkey, Russia Won't Risk Economic Ties Over Syria

The anticipated meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recognized the deep economic ties between the countries, but the real focus was Syria, writes Semih Idiz.
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)

Russian President Valdimir Putin’s high-profile visit to Istanbul on Dec. 3 for talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refocused international attention on Turkish-Russian ties, which have been strained over Syria.

The fact that Putin had postponed this visit, initially planned for Oct. 14, had already fueled speculation about increasing tension between the two countries over this issue.

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