European Union Vis-A-Vis Russian Federation, and Turkey

Abstract

The mutual relations of the European Union (EU), the Russian Federation (RF) and the Republic of Turkey (RT) are characterized by lasting economic relationships and political returns. In RF and RT, the judicial system is used to brutally combat all expressions of political disagreement with interest groups in power for decades. It is therefore not surprising that EU relations with both countries remain poor and accession negotiations with RT stalled. RF and RT leaders have many common goals that primarily serve to maintain power. President Putin is already preparing the foreground for future presidential elections in 2024. The creation of a new government in January 2020 and the simultaneous launch of social assistance programs is to improve the image of power and help win parliamentary elections in 2021. Putin has at least three options. Similarly, President Erdogan’s goal is to re-elect the country’s leader in 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Actions in all areas of social life are subordinated to this. Moscow will attempt to make Ankara economically and politically dependent to use it as a tool in disputes with EU countries, where it will not necessarily want to be directly involved. Although this relationship has not yet occurred, RF is already using RT to force the EU to divide the gas and oil exploration and extraction zones in the Eastern Mediterranean. In turn, RT authorities will make efforts to maintain an equal distance between RF, EU and the USA.

A Shift in the Security Paradigm—Global Challenges: is Europe ready to meet them? Edited by J. Martín Ramírez, and Jerzy Biziewski. © 2020 Springer International. Submitted: July 14, 2019; Accepted: January 27, 2020.