ISTANBUL – ANSWER. New front with USA opens Turkey thanks to close cooperation in the energy and financial sectors with Russia. At the same time, analysts note that this is happening at a time when Ankara tolerated them. CAATSA sanctions and was excluded from the co-production program F-35 in connection with the delivery Russian S-400.

O Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey would become an energy hub for Russian natural gas and that Europe would be able to supply gas through Ankara. Subsequently, the Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom announced that it had begun consultations with Turkish officials on the construction of a second Nuclear power plant in Sinop.

In addition, the surge in Turkish exports to Russia, as well as accusations of creating Russian companies, characterized as “showcases”, are causing a reaction in Washington. If in previous years the number of new Russian companies in Turkey was about 100, then in the first eight months of this year, 729 Russian companies were created.

The number of Russian companies established in Turkey in the first eight months of this year amounted to 729.

The United States clarified its opposition to the plans of the two countries and, as Deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel “We (and the US) are calling on our allies to take steps to diversify their energy sources and reduce energy dependence on Russia. Particularly in the case of Turkey, we are working closely with it to help its own efforts to strengthen long-term energy security.”

Mr. Patel went on to touch on Turkey and the issue of sanctions. “We have made it clear to Turkey and all our allies and partners that no one should become a safe haven for illegal Russian assets or transactions, and we will continue to do so,” he said.

Turkish analysts note that in the energy sector sector Turkey’s dependence on Russia is constantly increasing. At the same time, they emphasize that Vladimir Putin is currently the most important “blood donor” of the Turkish economy, since, in addition to parallel transactions, circumventing sanctions, Moscow sends billions of dollars of money transfers to Turkey for the construction of the Akyuyu nuclear power plant and payment for commercial trade, in while most Russians travel to Western countries via Turkey.

Mr. Akar

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, stating the need for dialogue with Greece and saying he invited Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and his wife to Turkey – Athens notes that there is currently no suitable ground for a visit – called for the demilitarization of the islands. “You have militarized the islands, although the 12th and 14th articles of the Lausanne and Paris agreements clearly state that “these islands cannot be militarized.” We are faced with the paradox of 6 miles of territorial waters and 10 miles of airspace. The islands are to be demilitarized as part of the treaties. This is completely contrary to the conditions,” he said.

Benny Gantz in Ankara

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz will visit Ankara next Wednesday to meet with his counterpart Hulusi Akar. The news caused concern in Athens as Mr Gantz canceled his planned visit to Kalamata with his colleague Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Israeli sources said last night that the minister’s cancellation was due to reasons requiring the minister to be in Israel. And they added that “the visit next week is not relevant, it was predetermined and its essence is to strengthen regional cooperation.”