OREANDA-NEWS The West and the East have become dependent on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to Kommersant, it is Erdogan who can be called the most successful politician of 2022 on the planet, since it was the Turkish leader who became an almost uncontested mediator between the parties to the conflict after the start of the Russian special operation.

Erdogan receives political and economic benefits from the current state of affairs, although he constantly declares his desire to achieve peace. Over time, the West is imposing more and more sanctions against Russia, and Turkey is only increasing trade with the Russian Federation.

In addition, it is very profitable for Ankara to create a gas hub. Turkey is also profiting from the grain deal concluded in Istanbul.

Ankara also received a powerful lever of pressure on NATO, after Finland and Sweden applied to join the alliance.

The publication noted that the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in Turkey this year will be a fateful event. If Erdogan loses, it will lead to serious foreign policy changes.

Earlier it was reported that Turkey's membership in NATO in 2023 should be reconsidered because of Ankara's position towards Russia. This was stated by former national security aide to former US President Donald Trump, John Bolton.

According to the politician, he regrets that Russia's trade and military partners "have not yet left it in the hour of need." Bolton condemned Turkey, which has not taken a tough anti-Russian position because of the conflict in Ukraine.