Media: Putin demanded fighter jet escort for his trip to Türkiye

Since last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly postponed official visits to Türkiye.

Multiple explanations have been offered, ranging from concerns about the Ukraine war to domestic political considerations, such as the Russian elections earlier this year, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

However, sources familiar with the discussions said that Putin's specific conditions for his visit to Ankara are the key reason for the delays.

The most notable condition is Putin’s desire to travel to Türkiye escorted by Russian fighter jets. This is reportedly due to concerns about Ukraine’s military capabilities, which pose a risk to aircraft along his flight route. Moscow’s request to not only fly in with fighter jets but possibly land them on Turkish soil has created diplomatic complications. Türkiye, a NATO member, is unlikely to shut down its air defence systems to accommodate such a request, as these jets could be perceived as hostile by NATO defences.

Despite ongoing discussions between Russian and Turkish officials, Putin's visit—reportedly scheduled for the first week of October—remains uncertain due to this issue.

Former Turkish diplomats have described the request as highly unusual. One former ambassador noted that while Türkiye may offer a fighter jet escort as a gesture, “I cannot recall any visit where a foreign head of state would like to bring over their country’s fighter jets.”

In addition to the fighter jet request, Moscow has expressed concerns about accommodations in Ankara. Russian officials have raised objections to the three largest hotel venues in the city—Hilton, Sheraton, and JW Marriott—because they are US-owned, which is seen as a security risk by the Kremlin. These concerns raise the possibility of the Turkish government offering Putin a guest house, a protocol rarely used in modern diplomacy.

Putin's concerns about safety in a NATO country, particularly in light of tensions over Ukraine, appear to be playing a significant role in the repeated postponements. Türkiye’s position as a NATO member, coupled with its complex relationship with Russia, has heightened Moscow's security anxieties.

Despite these diplomatic hurdles, the two countries maintain significant strategic ties in areas such as energy, trade, and tourism. Moscow has expressed interest in constructing a second nuclear power plant in Sinop, following the completion of the Akkuyu plant. They are also discussing the creation of a gas hub in western Türkiye.

However, tensions remain, especially after Türkiye supplied arms to Ukraine earlier this year and Turkish banks halted transactions with Russian financial institutions due to US sanctions. These factors have led to a reduction in bilateral trade, further complicating the relationship.

As of now, neither Russian nor Turkish officials have provided comments on the situation.