Will Erdogan Utilize BRICS Summit for Damascus Normalization?

As the BRICS summit in Kazan brings together over 20 world leaders, including Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan, the focus shifts to key Middle Eastern issues, particularly Syria. The potential meeting between Putin and Erdogan raises hopes for normalizing relations between Ankara and Damascus, as Russian mediation attempts to address political and security obstacles before the upcoming Astana process.

Despite optimism, some skepticism lingers regarding tangible outcomes from the Putin-Erdogan meeting. Turkish concerns about provoking the West and Russia’s diminished capacity to intervene directly in conflicts add complexity to the normalization process. The Astana talks aim to resolve the Syrian conflict by establishing de-escalation zones and mediating between conflicting parties.

Escalating military tensions in northwestern Syria ahead of negotiations underscore the challenges of achieving reconciliation. While Turkish officials express intent to pursue normalization, certain requirements, like a Turkish withdrawal from occupied territories, must be met for successful talks.

As Russia continues its role as a mediator in this complex process, the dynamics of the region during the BRICS summit hint at a potential breakthrough in Turkish-Syrian relations amidst ongoing challenges.