Editor-in-Chief of the Russian National Defense Magazine Igor Korotchenko
“Türkiye-Russia cooperation determines the course of developments in Eurasia”
Russian journalist and military expert Igor Yuryevich Korotchenko is the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine National Defense and the founder and director of "World Arms Trade Analysis Center" LLC. He has been a member of the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Defense since February 8, 2012. Between 2012 and 2013, he served as the Chairman of the Public Council of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Igor Yuryevich Korotchenko is also a retired colonel.
How to cite: Korotchenko, I. (2023). Türkiye-Russia cooperation determines the course of developments in Eurasia. (Kubilay Çelik, Interviewer). BRIQ Belt & Road Initiative Quarterly, 4(3), 20-24.
"From Russia's strategic alliance perspective, driven by a healthy pragmatism, Türkiye can always be seen as a reliable partner. Today, the two most important actors determining the course of economic and political events in Eurasia are Russia andTürkiye.These two countries have achieved political and economic stability in the Black Sea, so the view that Russia and Türkiye need to form a geopolitical alliance is very popular. Today, the conditions for further strengthening Turkish-Russian cooperation are developing. In addition, regarding the fight against international terrorism, joint counter-terrorism exercises of the Russian and Turkish Special Operations Forces should be held."
Russian National Defense Magazine Editor-in-Chief Igor Korotchenko answered Kubilay Çelik's questions.
NATO’s Expansion Threatens why NATO’s war machine spreads like a cancerous
the World Peace tumor worldwide. This certainly threatens both
Russia and other countries. What do you think are the primary and
secondary objectives of NATO’s enlargement NATO's Deception and
policy since 1991? the Political Mistake of
the Russian Leadership in the Past Igor Korotchenko: We see NATO constantly
expanding. First, instead of maintaining a neutral Russia was shown among NATO’s partner
line between Russia and the NATO bloc, this countries after 1994 and was not considered a
expansion is taking place on the territory of the threat in NATO texts until 2014. What do you former Warsaw Pact countries of Central and think was the purpose of this policy of the US and Eastern Europe. Looking at it, we see that NATO NATO? is the source of all problems. They have been busy pushing their military bases towards the Igor Korotchenko: Igor Korotchenko: This was Russian border for three decades. Countries such a hoax by NATO so that Russia would not resist the as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia became part of
NATO. Recently, Finland was accepted into the alliance’s expansion. NATO named Russia a different
NATO ranks. kind of partner and proposed various cooperation
The struggle in Ukraine is taking place as a programs. When Russia asked why NATO was
result of this crisis. The reason for this is again expanding, it replied that it was for the fight against
Ukraine’s desire to become a part of NATO. That’s international terrorism. Thus, NATO deceived Russia.
Azov Battalion with NATO, Ukrainian, and Nazi flags. (QQ, 2022QQ (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
And today, the North Atlantic Alliance has landed on assessment would you make when you compare
Russian borders, and NATO has no reason to hide its the goals of the US and the results of Russia’s
aggressive ambitions anymore. NATO sees Russia as intervention?
a military enemy. NATO wants to enter a new and
large-scale war with Russia and destroy it. Igor Korotchenko: This was a special military
Unfortunately, the Russian leadership at the operation against NATO and the political power’s
time believed in NATO’s promises of partnership. continued actions to destabilize the region after
This was a huge political mistake. This results signing a peace agreement with the political power
from insufficient work by Russian intelligence and and documenting that Ukraine would never become
Russian security officials. Ultimately, this was a a NATO member. In other words, everything has
successful disinformation operation led by NATO. been tried to resolve the crisis peacefully. However,
Indeed, NATO ensured that Russia was not opposing the US put pressure on Ukraine. As a result, Ukraine
NATO enlargement in the most active way possible. declared its allegiance to the West, avoiding any
Therefore, unfortunately, as a result of this deception, political negotiations with Russia.
the strategic situation of Russia today on its western Russia wanted to negotiate the Ukraine issue
and southern borders has seriously deteriorated. with the US and made many requests to discuss
the emerging issue in Ukraine politically. However,
After Russia intervened in Ukraine, it seems no one wanted to seek a diplomatic solution to the
Washington followed a policy to revive NATO, situation. Under these conditions, Russia had no
especially to force Europe to act with the United other option but to launch a military operation. Of
States. How does the Ukraine crisis relate to the course, the Ukraine crisis is linked to the enlargement
NATO enlargement initiative? What kind of of NATO. The culprits behind the events in Ukraine
are the US and the Zelensky government. With the initiative of President Putin and
Today, NATO and Washington are creating President Erdogan, Türkiye’s transformation into an
problems for Russia by paying for extremist ideas energy distribution center was supported. We are
that are the enemy of all humanity and by trying to interested in expanding the scope of economic and
ensure NATO’s eastward expansion. Alongside the energy interaction with Türkiye. Thus, Russian gas
and Russian oil enter Türkiye. And now, these fuels countries of the former Soviet Union, NATO plans continue to be distributed to other suppliers through to lure Ukraine, Sweden, and Moldova into the Türkiye. This results from Türkiye’s geopolitical and North Atlantic Alliance. strategic superiority in the world.
Interaction with Türkiye in the Fields of Türkiye and Russia should Cooperate for Energy and Economy will be Expanded the Security of the Black Sea
How do you evaluate the attitude of Europe Being a NATO member, Türkiye also maintains
in the current crisis, which has an interest a policy of friendship with Russia. How would
in cooperating with Russia on many issues, you evaluate Türkiye’s position in terms of US
especially energy? Do you think European aims and Türkiye’s actions?
countries will continue their current policies?
What changes are you expecting? Igor Korotchenko: Türkiye is a country with
great opportunities and a strong economy that is
Igor Korotchenko: The US sabotaged the shaping the new economic reality. In my opinion,
pipelines between Europe and Russia with its special the economic relations between Türkiye and
operations. It damaged Russia’s energy cooperation Russia are driven by a solid pragmatism that
with Europe by damaging the Nord Stream 1 also comes from the past of Turkish and Russian
and Nord Stream 2 lines. The European Union is diplomacy. Türkiye’s participation in economic
reevaluating its gas supply from the US. This will sanctions against Russia will primarily harm the
be liquefied natural gas. The US aims to have a Turkish economy. For this reason, the Turkish
European economy that is not more competitive state is actively developing its projects in Russia
compared to the American economy. instead of imposing any sanctions against Russia.
Presently, it is unlikely that Russia’s and Europe’s First, Türkiye supplies several products we
energy disputes will resume in the coming years. cannot buy on the European market. Apart from
Yes, we continue to supply oil and gas today, but this that, Russia is building a nuclear power plant
supply is significantly limited by the ceiling prices in Akkuyu, Türkiye. Russia, on the other hand,
set as part of the relevant European Union decisions. sees Türkiye as an important partner in the field
Therefore, Russia will redirect oil and gas supplies of military-technical cooperation. Therefore, if
from the European market to Asia, especially China Türkiye cannot buy American F-16 and F-35
and India. These regions will be our most important fighter jets, Russia’s Su-35s and Su-57s will be an
buyers. alternative to the American supply.
From Russia’s strategic alliance perspective, How would you evaluate Russia and China’s
Türkiye can be seen as an ever-reliable partner separate and joint policies against the hegemony
driven by healthy pragmatism. Today, Russia of the US?
and Türkiye are the two most important actors
determining the course of economic and political Igor Korotchenko: The US considers Russia
events in Eurasia. These two countries have and China enemies. Therefore, Chinese President
unequivocally ensured political and economic Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow and meetings with
stability in the Black Sea. For this reason, the President Putin were extremely important.
view that Russia and Türkiye need to form a An agreement was reached on the strategic
geopolitical and strategic alliance is very popular. partnership concept. It was decided not to be a
Today, the conditions for further strengthening military ally but to manage security efforts in a
Turkish-Russian cooperation are developing. certain manner of coordination based on mutual
And, of course, we hope that Türkiye will gain benefit. This continuation of joint military patrol
strong momentum in political and economic missions will help Russia establish a strategic
development with the healing of the wounds aviation and missile attack warning system. This
caused by the terrible earthquake in Türkiye. partnership involves exchanging intelligence
Russia is eager to develop a relationship that information and strengthening economic
Turkish leaders will be ready for. Therefore, we cooperation, including military technical
evaluate the future of Russian-Turkish relations cooperation. Therefore, the alliance between
extremely positively. Yes, Türkiye is a NATO Moscow and Beijing will deter the US, weaken
member country, but this does not prevent US hegemony, and ensure that the US behaves
Ankara from actively maintaining and advancing reasonably when making political and economic
its relationship with Russia. I think providing decisions.
the necessary conditions for Russia and Türkiye
to carry out bilateral naval maneuvers to ensure Do you think there is a danger of nuclear
security in the Black Sea would be beneficial. In war? If so, how can this be avoided?
addition, taking into account the fight against
international terrorism, joint counter-terrorism Igor Korotchenko: Of course, the existence of
exercises of the Russian and Turkish Special conditions that can create this situation is a fact.
Operations Forces should be held. The only way Russia can avoid nuclear war is to
balance the military power of the United States and
Russia-China Cooperation will Develop to impose financial impossibilities against its current
Deter the US aggressive mentality. Today, only Washington has
the potential to retaliate against Russia. Therefore,
Russia and China are considered threats in the mission of the Russian nuclear forces is a
NATO’s last strategic concept, adopted in 2022. peacekeeping mission that will protect our world
On the other hand, Russia and China are also from the Third World War and the nuclear threats
strengthening their relations more and more. that the United States may deploy.