Putin demands Russian fighter jets escort him to Turkey

Middle East Eye ^ | 9/10/2024 | Ragip Soylu

[marcusmaximus]

Since last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed several official visits to Turkey.

A multitude of reasons have been offered by officials. Some have said Putin has been avoiding any countries that were not part of the Soviet Union since the Ukraine war began. Others have put it down to the Russian elections earlier this year.

However, sources familiar with Russian thinking told Middle East Eye that Putin’s conditions to visit Ankara are the primary reason for the constant delay.

Putin would like to fly to Turkey with Russian fighter jet escorts, the sources said, possibly concerned by Ukraine's ability to shoot down aircraft on the flight route.

Moscow’s demand to fly in with Russian fighter jets, and also possibly land them in Turkish territory, is a complicated matter, as Nato air-defence systems in the country could perceive such aircraft as enemy targets.

One person familiar with the talks said Turkey isn’t likely to shut Nato systems down to accommodate the Russian request.

In the latest deliberations over a visit, Russian and Turkish officials have discussed Putin arriving in the first week of October.

Yet the specific fighter jet demand makes the scheduling and organisation of the visit very unlikely, sources said. The last time Putin visited Ankara was in 2014.

Unusual request

Two former Turkish ambassadors, who were previously closely involved in diplomatic protocol surrounding the visits of foreign heads of state, told MEE that the Russian request was very unusual.

“The Turkish government may send fighter jets to escort foreign heads of states as a gesture,” said one of the former ambassadors.

“Nonetheless, I cannot recall any visit where the foreign heads of state would like to bring over his or her country’s fighter jets along.”

[ansel12]

Turkey is also an ally and a fellow NATO nation, you haven’t explained why you think it is normal for enemy nations to be allowed their own president’s fighters jets if he seeks to fly in for an audience.

According to the article, “Russia’s president has been delaying trip to Ankara for almost two years because of his extraordinary requests”
“One person familiar with the talks said Turkey isn’t likely to shut NATO systems down to accommodate the Russian request. “

[Candor7]

Bull Crap.

Shooting down aircraft is a command decision, they are not on auto fire.

If Erdogan wants Putin to visit, Putin must fly across Ukraine, and so he requires fighter escorts through the war zone.

Nothing strange about that.

I doubt this is a bone of contention.

Sounds like a made up story, to show everybody that “THE RUSHANS ARE LEWZING!” ( meme)

Keep that Ukraine war money pump for the lefty Dems going!

CHA-CHING!