ANKARA, Turkey—A recent meeting in Sochi, Russia, between the leaders of Russia and NATO member Turkey has reportedly sparked fears among Western officials of perceived “deepening ties” between Ankara and Moscow.
However, experts who spoke to The Epoch Times challenge that assertion, saying the meeting—and its outcome—merely reflect Ankara’s pragmatic approach to its dealings with Russia.
“Since the Ottoman era, Turkish foreign policy regarding Russia has always been one of balancing interests,” said Matthew Bryza, a former White House and senior State Department official.
The apparent meeting of minds that took place in Sochi, he added, “is a continuation of this balancing act.”…