Özet:

After Vladimir Putin was elected President in the presidential election in Russia held on March 26, 2000, Russia began to compete more seriously with the USA in the fields of foreign relations and security. In the course of this competition, one of the regions that Putin attached importance to in the context of his foreign relations and security policy was the Middle East.  A new era began in Russia-Turkey relations when Putin came into power and high-level mutual visits took place between the two countries. One of the important factors affecting Russia-Turkey relations is the civil war and foreign intervention in Syria. Although Ankara and Moscow show different attitudes towards the Syrian issue, it is understood that the purpose of both countries is to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and to rebuild the state authority in the country. A SU-24 Russian bombing aircraft violated Turkey's airspace over the Syrian border on November 24, 2015 and in response, it was shot down by Turkish F-16s in accordance with the rules of engagement. Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense declared that they could prove that the aircraft did not violate the Turkish airspace. Regarding the events, Putin stated that Russian pilots and Russian aircraft did not pose any threats to Turkey and Russian aircraft carried out operations against ISIS. President Erdogan sent a letter of sorrow to Putin stressing that he was feeling a deep sorrow about the shoot-down of the Su-24 aircraft and he expressed his condolences to the family of the Russian pilot who lost his life. In addition, it was emphasized in the letter that reestablishment of traditional friendly relations with Russia was desired. On July 15, 2016, a failed coup attempt took place in Turkey. After the coup attempt, the possibility that the terrorist organization FETO was responsible for the aircraft crisis was focused on. However, the situation has not yet been fully clarified as the judicial process continues.

Anahtar Kelimeler: