Former Russian diplomat Matuzov Vyacheslav Nikolayevich, who visited Turkley’s capital Ankara at the invitation of chairman of the Eurasia Local Governments Union Hasan Cengiz, is also President of the Society of friendship and business cooperation with Arab countries in Russia. Nikolayevich, the chief Middle East Advisor to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is highly esteemed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his Middle East strategy, in an interview with Yeni Şafak, addressed the agenda of Putin’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and recent developments in the region.
On the importance of the Eurasian Economic Union, Nikolayevich said that the Eurasian communities are the rising stars of the future, not the European Union or the West. Noting that the West has reached its own peak in terms of politics, he said Eurasia is a young and fresh body, which is enthusiastic and embodies a great potential. The former Russian diplomat stated that Eurasia starts with Turkish-Russian relations, and that this cooperation will cause a great political power in the region, enhanced by the neighboring countries.
Noting that the Russian President will visit Turkey on Thursday, Nikolayevich said Putin places great importance on the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“There are great challenges ahead. And no one expects Turkey or Russia to be pleased with the current battles around our countries, our borders. I believe that President Erdoğan and President Putin’s attitude in this regard, the way they are handling this issue will end these incidents and give way to economic breakthroughs. The problems in the Middle East will be solved more easily.”
Nikolayevich stated that Russia regards President Erdoğan as a world leader and a strong person who has a real power of sanction in the Middle East. “Iran and Russia were not the initiators of the Astana process and ceasefire. It was Erdoğan’s ambition and efforts to end this conflict. We know that he has a great political influence.”
Regarding the agenda of the meeting between Erdoğan and Putin, Nikolayevich pointed out that the most important issue is political solutions and ending the wars in the Middle East. The two leaders will meet to discuss the stance of the United States on this issue on Thursday, and to create a political and military solution, according to the Russian diplomat.
“The Middle East region is today going on a different path. As one period ends, another starts. The civil war has ended. All countries are now considering the reconstruction of the post-war region. There is a new Syria, new Iraq, new Egypt, and a new Tunisia now. New relations need to be built with them.
Additionally, the terror risk continues. We have come to these days with political reconstruction built by victorious states after the World War II. The same thing is happening today. The war ended and we need a proper reconstruction.”
Regarding the subject on whether Russia will withdraw its troops from Syria or some of its troops will remain following the new political reconstruction, Nikolayevich said that his remarks cannot go beyond his own evaluations. Stating that the reason why Russian troops were deployed in Syria was the military threat of the U.S., he claimed that the United States supports all terrorist organizations in Syria, which is a threat for Russian border security and internal security. “The terror groups there [in Syria] such as Daesh and al-Nusra will start to move toward other places. This could be Myanmar, Sahara or Mali, which could be reached by train.”
Regarding the current political situation in Iraq, Nikolayevich said that Kurds in Iraq have been given a large amount of territory, and he does not believe that they could easily establish a state with a referendum. “This would be their end. There is no state but Israel that would support Kurds in the region,” he added.
The only aim of the United States is to cause conflict in Turkey, Iraq, Syria and other countries by using Kurdish people, to isolate people from each other, and to realize the Sykes–Picot Agreement, Russian diplomat said. “The moment they [the United States] realize that this will not happen, they will leave the Kurds alone. They won’t risk taking on Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Arab and Muslim world.”
