Erdogan’s antics keep Russia on its toes
Turkey’s president takes actions that sometimes seem like self-sabotage, like surprising Moscow with his recent statements on the Crimean Peninsula and his decision to complicate Russia’s export procedures.
![SERBIA-TURKEY/ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he speaks during a joint press conference with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic (not in the picture) after their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Marko Djurica - RC13E9624A90](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/10-1/RTS1FVFS.jpg/RTS1FVFS.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=lzK1hec-)
Turkey’s relationship with Russia seems to keep both sides on edge. Today, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is praising Russia as Turkey’s partner in a new Syrian operation. He is proclaiming that Ankara will proceed with its purchase of the S-400 weapons system from Moscow — something he said was in doubt earlier in the week.
Last week, as Erdogan was visiting Ukraine, he directed a pair of irksome announcements toward Russia, one regarding the Crimean Peninsula and one about new import restrictions on Russian agricultural goods.