Can fragile Ankara-Moscow friendship survive Russian strike?
Though Turkey and Russia are working ever more closely together in Syria, the two cautious allies are holding back over their policy disconnects and incidents like the Russian airstrike that killed four Turkish soldiers near al-Bab.
![MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-RUSSIA-TURKEY Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talks during a joint news conference with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan following their meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, October 10, 2016. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RTSRNKN](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/02/RTSRNKN.jpg/RTSRNKN.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=K4EObZcz)
Despite Turkey's fast-developing political and economic ties with Russia and the cooperation between the two countries in Syria, doubts are emerging on the Turkish side. Russian statements also show that the relationship is not a bed of roses.
Moscow’s push for a secular constitution for a federated Syria has ruffled Turkish feathers. Ankara wants Syria’s Islamic character preserved and is cool toward any federated settlement that includes the Kurds.