Turkey’s political gambling a threat to Turkey, entire region – Ruben Safrastyan

Consequences of Turkey’s actions pose a threat to the region, Ruben Safrastyan, Director of the institute of Oriental Studies, Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), told Tert.am as he commented on the incident with the downed Russian jet.

“Following Russian news media reports one can think that Russia is avoiding escalation. But the fact of the Russia defense minister’s being in Egypt should be considered. Russia is now seeking to get as much information as possible,” the expert said.

Russia claims the jet was in Syria’s airspace, while Turkey claims they had repeatedly warned the pilots before downing the jet. The sides are making mutually exclusive statements. Mr Safrastyan points out a need to wait for the results and for the sides’ positions.

This is evidence that Turkey’s political gambling poses a threat to Turkey itself and to the entire region.
“We are witnessing this threat turning into reality,” Mr Safrastyan said.

The Turkish-Syrian border is about 95-km-long, with the Syrian side under the Islamic state’s control. It is through that border that the Islamic State has contacts with the rest of the world and it is through that border that Turkey is selling oil to the Islamic State, with a monthly income of US $40m.

“Turkey is actually helping the Islamic State and Turkic tribes that are in the Islamic State ranks. And it is because of its own political gambling that Turkey is now facing such a grave situation,” Mr Safrastyan said.

The expert does not think Moscow will not make final decisions, and Moscow will consider the fact that the Turkish gas program, which had been suspended, is becoming a reality.

“The program had no chance to become a reality, but it is now more realistic. It is importance for Russia, and it will take the fact into account. On the other hand, I do not think Russia is a state to forgive another state’s jets downing its jet,” Mr Safrastyan said.