Turkish pragmatism at Sochi Olympics
In the old days, Turkish-Russian relations were determined by Russia's desire to have access to the Mediterranean — involving the use of Turkey’s straits as an exit route from the Black Sea — and the struggle for influence in the Caucasus. But times have changed priorities. The main parameters of the relationship nowadays are Russian tourists traveling to the Mediterranean, energy power lines and construction contracts in Russia. The struggle for influence in the Caucasus has declined. Although Turkey to an extent still maintains its competition with Russia over Georgia and Azerbaijan, for the sake of economic relations it has removed the northern Caucasus from its list of priorities.
More:Turkish pragmatism at Sochi Olympics - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East
