Why the Russian-Turkish Conflict Is Bad for Both Countries

The dismal state of Russian-Turkish relations on energy show little signs of rapprochement, with implications likely to reverberate throughout the region.

by Cristina Maza

Diplomatic game theorists have spent the last several weeks speculating about whether the conflict between Russia and Turkey, which erupted in late November after Turkey shot down a Russian jet for violating its airspace, will diffuse or escalate in the near future. News that a Russian destroyer fired warning shots at a Turkish fishing vessel in the Aegean Sea on Sunday, December 13, seemed to dampen hopes of an imminent détente.

But, the state of Russian-Turkish relations on energy issues is perhaps the biggest indicator the two countries are in no rush to reestablish their erstwhile friendship.