According to The Economist, before the upcoming elections, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan avoided creating a confrontation with Russia. This move is due to the fact that Russia provided support by postponing payments for gas supplies and allocating additional funds to finance the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Turkey.

However, as the publication notes, the Turkish leader now feels less vulnerable to possible pressure from Russia. Emre Ersen, a researcher at Marmara University, claims that Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become more self-confident in the context of relations with Russia.

The expert adds that despite Vladimir Putin's dissatisfaction with the Turkish leader's actions, the Russian president has a limited set of tools to oppose this process. At the same time, Turkey remains a key partner for Russian exports, tourism, and economic ties, as well as a potential mediator in negotiations with the West.

According to expert Soner Cagaptay from the Washington Institute, Erdogan skillfully uses diplomatic resources to maintain his political and economic position, and Turkey today is perceived as a state that is able to participate in world affairs independently and establish relations with various actors on its own terms.