Russian senator praises Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proceeds from his country's interests, unlike European heads of state who defend mainly the position of the United States and the European Union, Federation Council member Alexander Pushkov wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to Pushkov, Erdogan "is not afraid to challenge his Western NATO allies." This is how the senator commented on the Turkish leader's arrival at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

"The German foreign minister was outraged by the common photo of Putin and Erdogan in Tehran? So now she should be speechless from indignation," Pushkov wrote.

He urged not to expect more from Erdogan's actions toward Russia than to create favorable conditions for Türkiye as a new regional superpower.

The senator praised Erdogan for "tough pragmatism, willingness to take risks, coupled with calculating his steps, refusing to make pre-emptive concessions based on future counter steps of partners, which are very illusory."