Managed Regional Rivalry Between Russia and Turkey After the Annexation of Crimea

2022/10/21 by Seçkin Köstem
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Energy · Social Sciences · #Economic Sanctions and International Relations #Global Energy Security and Policy #International Relations and Foreign Policy

paper · doi:10.1080/09668136.2022.2134308

openalex publication_date 2022/10/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

This essay explores the regional rivalry between Russia and Turkey from the former’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The main argument is that Russia and Turkey have maintained a managed regional rivalry. The two have continuously supported opposing sides in regional conflict theatres. At the same time, Russia and Turkey have learned to accommodate the interests and spheres of influence of each other and cooperate through various bilateral mechanisms. The essay concludes that a form of managed regional rivalry will continue to shape Russian–Turkish relations in Eurasia in the foreseeable future.

Citations

• Russian-Turkish cooperation in Syria: geopolitical alignment with limits
• Smokestacks and Pipelines: Russian-Turkish Relations and the Persistence of Economic Development
• Turkish foreign policy in a post-western order: strategic autonomy or new forms of dependence?