Audio: Russian-Turkey Relations and U.S. Foreign Policy

Andrew Kuchins, Director and Senior Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Program interviews Bulent Aliriza, Director and Senior Associate, Turkey Project.

"The Turks really don't want to be put in a situation where they have to choose between Washington and Moscow..." -Bulent Aliriza

A conversation between Andrew Kuchins and Bulent Aliriza on Russian-Turkey Relations and U.S. Foreign Policy. Dr. Aliriza speaks about the significance of the August 6, 2009 visit of Russian Prime Minister Putin to Turkey, his meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the energy agreements signed while he was in Ankara. He also gives a historical backdrop, consequently providing insight into Turkey’s current outlook on further developing the East-West Energy Corridor through Nabucco and expanding the North-South axis of cooperation with Russia. Dr. Aliriza also offers recommendations on how Washington should respond to the closer relationship between Ankara and Moscow.