Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- For decades, Ankara and Moscow have had a tendency to “agree and disagree” on many issues. But the "exceptional relationship" between R. Erdogan and V. Putin arose and developed against the background of R. Erdogan’s disappointments in the West and the search for a more independent foreign policy after the coup attempt in 2016, which, he was sure, was supported by the West. It is reported by the Middle East Eye (UK).

R. Erdogan "enjoyed his friendship" with V. Putin, because unlike the American presidents, the Russian leader kept his promises, including within the framework of the deal on the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. However, closer to our days, the former trust began to evaporate as Russia and Turkey were drawn into contradictions around several regional problems at once. Among them are the Syrian Idlib, Libya and the most recent case - Nagorno-Karabakh.

The first cracks began to appear in January, when Vladimir Putin was unable to secure the promised ceasefire in Libya. Following this, the enraged R. Erdogan began to blame Russia for taking care of the forces of the Libyan Marshal H. Haftar, deploying mercenaries of PMC "Wagner" in the North African country.

In response to the spring successes of the Syrian military in Idlib, Erdogan threatened a military response in order to regain the lost territory. The conflict in February and March ultimately resulted in the deaths of 59 Turkish soldiers. Since that time, R. Erdogan and V. Putin hardly talk to each other, and Russian diplomats and their Turkish colleagues rarely reach an understanding, let alone an agreement on any issue.

But R. Erdogan’s adventurism in Syria and Libya gave the Turkish military skills that they never had. The use of attack UAVs and mercenary fighters, backed up by Turkish military capabilities, has changed the balance in Idlib and on the battlefields in Libya. Ankara has become more confident in foreign operations, therefore it has become more openly involved in the current clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. R. Erdogan finally saw a Russian bear in V. Putin, who no longer cares about Turkey’s interests.