A new era in US-Russia relations: Turkey and EU left on the sidelines

The second decade of the 21st century promises to be a memorable one. History recalls two previous cases in the last century when U.S.-Russia relations attempted to transition to a more stable platform. The latest case was after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the relations between the two superpowers were initially good—the newly formed Russia and the United States viewed global issues from a relatively similar perspective. It was during this period that Russian President Boris Yeltsin aligned closely with U.S. policy. Bilateral cooperation projects and agreements were developed, including a strategic arms control treaty.

As he had promised, Donald Trump has come to put an end to all wars. The Feb. 18 meeting was held for this purpose. The U.S. president described the U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh as very positive, an opinion shared by the Russian side. However, the media is quick to report that Europe is in panic over the prospect of a possible rapprochement between the two superpowers. This is more about the U.S.-Russia relations than about Ukraine, the expert on international relations notes. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Ukraine needs elections if Kyiv wants to have a seat at the negotiating table. He also pointed out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not enjoy strong popular support.

Not only Europe but also our neighbor Turkey appears unsettled by the rapprochement between the two countries. Ankara had ambitions to assume the role of mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war. In fact, Turkey has lost its status as a neutral party in the Ukrainian conflict, consequently, its position as a mediator.