As Turkey drifts away from the US, will Russia give it what it wants?
Both Turkish and Russian analysts believe Putin has been successful in using President Erdogan to drive a wedge between NATO members.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reliance on Russia is growing as Turkey’s ties with the United States deteriorate and move toward what might be a breakup of historic proportions.
Turkey’s purchase of Russian-made S-400 anti-missile defense systems has turned into the main issue clouding these ties, although there is no shortage of differences in other areas.
Washington is threatening sanctions and other punitive measures, like withholding the delivery of modern F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, if Ankara goes ahead with the Russian deal.
Turkish officials, however, remain defiant and continue to underline that Turkey has alternatives to the United States.
