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Turkey is apparently embarking on a quite unstable phase, Head of Modus Vivendi Research Center Ara Papyan told reporters at a press conference, adding Turkey currently faces not only the armed resistance from the Kurdistan Workers' Party but also the Islamic State.

“We are witnessing a deepening isolation of Russia from the West. Turkey and Russia both isolated are naturally striving to restore ties. Turkey’s alienation from the West opens up opportunities for us, yet its rapprochement with Russia carries certain risks. We know Russia runs a policy of pleasing which suggests certain concessions and the fact Putin wants to improve relations with Turkey is evident,” Papyan said.

As to Erdogan’s letter to Putin, Papyan saw no apologies there, rather a regret t over the happened to the family of the killed pilot.

“Turkologists explained me the word used in the message is translated “let us forget”, not apology. It was a letter of condolences, not more. Russian media presented the letter to be an apology to secure some victory for Putin, yet we should recall the Turkish side officially rejected any apologies had been issued,” Papyan maintained.

Asked how far Turkish-Russian relations may move ahead and what the speaker thinks of Turkish FM Mevlut Cavushoglu’s statement on readiness to provide Incirlik Air Base to the Russians, Papyan said: “In this whole policy Turkey acted as a mistress playing scenes of jealousy. Turkey knows well Russia may give Turkey nothing, except Karabakh, which is mostly essential to Azerbaijan, not Turkey. Turkey realizes the funds, technology, securitye and everything comes from the West, namely the US. It simply raises the issue of Incirlik Air Base to highlight own value in the eyes of the West and the NATO. This is the whole game played by Turkey. The game Turkey has entered is quite dangerous and is subject equally to failure or success. It will most likely fail, since the West may get annoyed. It may leave Turkey with both Russia and Incirlik, instead coming up with idea of creating a Kurdish state,” Papyan concluded.