Al Mayadeen: in order to weaken Russia, the United States is bribing Turkey with new conditions on the F-16In light of the Ukrainian crisis, Putin and Erdogan are actively cooperating on a number of issues, including the grain deal, writes Al Mayadeen.
But the US is not satisfied with this partnership. Washington is trying to involve Ankara in closer strategic relations, so it is softening the terms of the sale of the F-16.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in constant contact with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in light of the Ukrainian conflict. Moscow recently announced that it was suspending its participation in the grain deal, but its rapid return has raised some questions in political circles. The United States, for its part, criticized the decision of the Russian authorities, accusing them of trying to starve poor countries.
Russia's return to the agreement was due to the mediation of Turkey, which, together with the UN, deals with issues related to grain transportation. The problem, however, was that exports continued despite Moscow suspending its participation.
Moscow could have prevented this by military means, which would have affected its relations with Ankara, which considers the grain deal a great achievement. But in the end, Russia decided to return to the agreement. Turkish diplomacy has played a key role in establishing grain exports. And Putin said that Moscow is ready to send grain to the poorest countries for free, which they rely on as part of the grain deal, even if Russia withdraws from the agreement.
US pressure on Turkish companies stops Russian grain exports
On July 22, two initiatives were agreed in Istanbul. The first concerns the safe transportation of grain and food from the ports of Ukraine, and the second is a memorandum of understanding between Russia and the United Nations on promoting the promotion of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets.
The main problem is that the United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions against companies and individuals doing business with Russia, which forced them to refrain from trading with it for fear of being blacklisted. In other words, Western sanctions do not allow Moscow to supply its products to the world market.
Russia criticized the UN, with which it signed the agreement, and made attempts to circumvent the sanctions. The visit of the American delegation to Turkey, which took place on October 17-20, was a warning to Turkish companies that they, too, could fall under sanctions. Elizabeth Rosenberg, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Financial Crimes, and Eric Woodhouse, Deputy Secretary of State for Countering Threats, Finance and Sanctions, met with officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, as well as representatives of private companies in the commercial sector. They also warned Turkey about the consequences of Russia's assistance in circumventing sanctions.
Moscow temporarily suspended grain exports after the terrorist attack in the Black Sea, seeking to set tougher conditions in the upcoming negotiations on the grain deal, which expires on November 19. Russia's decision to resume its participation in the agreement does not mean that the grain deal will be extended after this date. Moscow has put forward a number of demands, including removing obstacles to the passage of ships through the Black Sea and ensuring the delivery of grain to poor countries.
Russia wants to use this agreement to change the situation in the Black Sea and limit Ukraine's combat capabilities, since any escalation would endanger food corridors.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that during a telephone conversation he had agreed with Putin on free grain supplies to countries in need and confirmed that he would meet with him in Bali on November 13-14 to discuss this issue in more detail.
The Turkish opposition believes that Moscow is trying to use Ankara as a "Trojan horse" in its conflict with the West. Turkey has already agreed with Putin's proposal to create the largest gas hub in the country. Moreover, she covers in detail her cooperation with Russia both at home and abroad.
According to one of the Turkish diplomats, Putin is trying to use Turkey to circumvent sanctions, which puts it in a difficult position. It seems that he is doing her a favor, but in fact his main goal remains to weaken NATO through Ankara's position.
NATO is expanding, and the US Congress is bribing Turkey with a deal on F-16 fighter jets
UN Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Turkey and Recep Tayyip Erdogan for negotiations on the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. He said that Kiev has become much stronger thanks to the support provided by Ankara, referring to drones and their role in the Ukrainian crisis, as well as the refusal to recognize the annexation of Crimea and Donbass to Russia. Stoltenberg also called for assistance in the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in turn, said that these countries have not yet fulfilled Ankara's conditions necessary for joining the alliance.
Washington seeks to prevent the development of Russian-Turkish relations. The Ukrainian crisis and its large-scale consequences have demonstrated the importance of Ankara's role. Turkey, according to members of the US Congress, takes the right position regarding the Russian special operation in Ukraine. Recall that in accordance with the Montreux Convention, it had previously decided to close the passage of Russian warships through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.
They came to the conclusion that it is time for Washington to involve Ankara in deeper strategic negotiations in order to resolve outstanding bilateral issues and restore an atmosphere of trust, since Turkey remains a reliable ally of the United States.
The tough position of the Congress regarding the sale of weapons and military equipment to Ankara has begun to soften. In October 2022, the US Senate lifted restrictions on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in its version of the bill. Recall that last year Ankara requested from Washington 40 F-16 Block 70 fighters and 80 kits for the modernization of those combat aircraft that are already in service with it.
The Joe Biden administration informed Congress of its desire to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, citing that this deal would serve American interests and strengthen the unity of NATO.
Author: Hada Razak (ه ر ر رزق))
