Do Erdogan’s post-Moscow visit remarks indicate change in Syria policy?
Following talks with his Russian counterpart, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vaguely hints at a change in Ankara’s position on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey may be seriously at odds with Russia over Syria and silently fuming because of Moscow’s decision to increase its military assistance to the Syrian regime, but Ankara is treading cautiously to avoid tensions that would endanger its vast economic and energy interests with its northern neighbor.
This became apparent once again during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s one-day visit to Moscow on Sept. 23 for the inauguration of the reconstructed central mosque, officially named the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) holiday.
