Todays Zaman: Turkey turns gaze from EU to Russia

Some politicians and analysts believe that a pipeline deal following Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Turkey demonstrates that Ankara is distancing itself from the European Union and is choosing to form new alliances, notably with Russia.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Adana deputy Faruk Loğoğlu told Today's Zaman on Monday that Turkey and Russia have both been isolated for different reasons and they therefore wish to “ease the feeling of loneliness by getting together.”

During Putin's visit, Russia and Turkey agreed to increase economic ties, with Putin announcing that Russia would stop construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline to Europe, instead naming Turkey as its preferred partner for an alternative pipeline.

“The South Stream project may seem to bring Turkey and Russia together; however, it increases Turkey's energy dependency on Russia. Turkey's involvement in the project also seems like a challenge to the EU,” said the CHP deputy. MORE