Even as Western sanctions are often said to work on Russia, Russian sanctions on Europe are proving to be even more effective. But now Erdogan was warming to Moscow, meeting Putin in St Petersburg for a complete reset in relations. Following Crimea’s decision to return to Russia in 2014, and pro-Russian eastern Ukrainians’ agitation against Kiev, the US and EU applied and then tightened sanctions against Russia. Europe wanted Russia to observe it, and Russia wanted Ukraine to do so as well. Calling Russia an indispensable country for Europe, he even commended and thanked Russia for its actions in Syria.

Source: The Star August 13, 2016 22:55 UTC