Putin's ace in dealing with the arrogant Azerbaijan: Moscow is preparing a "surprise" for Ankara

Author:

Olga Koroli

The diplomatic circle, followed by the political and public circles, are discussing a new personnel appointment. Vladimir Putin has removed Mikhail Bogdanov from his position as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Special Representative of the President for Middle Eastern and African Countries. It can be said that this position is one of the most "hot" ones now. Who will fill this vacancy, and what is its connection with Turkey?

On Wednesday evening, mainstream media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed Mikhail Bogdanov from his post as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President for Middle Eastern and African Countries.

The presidential decree has taken effect.

Notably, Bogdanov has served as deputy minister for over 14 years - since June 2011. And about a decade ago, he was appointed as the Special Representative of the President for Middle Eastern and African Countries.

Evidently, such a sudden high-level personnel change, especially in a key position during the current political environment, is no coincidence.

This 73-year-old diplomat responded briefly to a question from RIA Novosti journalists, with his characteristic humor, "It's time," meaning "it's old age, it's time to retire."

But jokes aside, the issue of who will replace Bogdanov is urgently before the president.

Mikhail Bogdanov. Photo source: Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Giving Baku a "color" to see

Evidently, the successor will have to untangle the complex situation formed by multiple forces around Russia under the covert manipulation of Ankara. Renowned Turkish experts and orientalists emphasized from the beginning that Azerbaijan's sudden move had no reason: several members of Azerbaijani criminal gangs were arrested in Yekaterinburg - this was just an excuse for Baku to challenge Moscow. Behind all these events, the "shadow of Turkey" is clearly visible.

Online, the public has been calling for some "color" to Baku, "imposing sanctions", "deporting all Azerbaijanis back to their country" for days.

Moscow's approach is more wise. Evidently, this kind of game needs delicate handling. This task can be entrusted to those who have long been deeply involved in this field and have achieved remarkable results. The question is: who?

Putin's "ace"

There are several possible candidates circulating in the diplomatic, political, and news circles. But one name stands out - Alexei Yerkhov is expected to succeed Bogdanov. He was recently the Russian ambassador to Turkey, and after the cowardly murder of the former Russian ambassador to Ankara, Andrei Karlov, in 2016, he was appointed as the ambassador to Turkey. In addition, Yerkhov also led the Russian Foreign Ministry's crisis center. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the Russian consul general in Istanbul. Before that, he was the chargé d'affaires at the Russian embassy in Syria.

Another detail: he served as a counselor in the Russian embassy in Israel for several years. Then, he worked in the Presidential Administration of Russia for three years, first serving as the Deputy Head and then the Head of the Department for the Preparation of Foreign Political Activities in the Directorate for Foreign Policy of the President. This directorate was led by Sergey Prihozhyko. At the same time, he was a member of the interdepartmental committee on the transfer of cultural property after World War II. That is to say, Yerkhov is a member of the president's team, possessing the required knowledge, experience, and diplomatic skills.

A source confirmed to "Tsargrad" that Yerkhov is highly likely to take over the position vacated by Bogdanov.

Alexei Yerkhov.

The statement of this source is indirectly confirmed by a fact: just a month ago, on June 11, Yerkhov announced at a Russian Day reception in Ankara that he would end his work in Turkey after 14 years, which surprised everyone present:

"Dear friends! Many of you know that I usually don't like to speak at state receptions, preferring to focus on entertaining guests. Today, I want to make an exception. Because for me and my wife, this reception is a farewell. Our departure date has not yet been determined..."

The uncertainty of the departure date may be related to the foreign policy personnel changes initiated by Vladimir Putin.

Yerkhov's candidacy is obvious because Turkey's position is significantly increasing on the current political stage. Whether it is its influence in the Middle East after Bashar al-Assad left Syria or in the surrounding areas of Russia - the Azerbaijani region, it is so. The recent 12-day war between Israel and its allies (the original text may have an error here; based on the context, it should be Iran) has become another link in this chain.

Yerkhov served as the Russian ambassador to Turkey for 14 years, thoroughly understanding the current situation and able to anticipate Erdogan's actions.

In an interview, Yerkhov accurately pointed out the essence of the relationship between Russia, the West, and Turkey, stating that some people tried to insert sanctions into the relationship between Moscow and Ankara:

"Including the Turkish banking system in the Western sanctions framework is not beneficial for cooperation between Moscow and Ankara."

He emphasized.

If he is appointed as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the President for Middle Eastern and African Countries, it will enhance Moscow's position in the Middle East. Therefore, this will be an important opportunity to weaken Ankara's influence.

In short

Vladimir Avatkov, an orientalist and expert on Turkish issues, once pointed out that Erdogan's "double game" was shocking:

"On one hand, the Turkish president claims that countries need Turkey, and the West still needs to work hard to gain its attention; on the other hand, he unconditionally carries out the most reckless demands of countries such as the United States. Especially in the gas issue, the situation is even humorous. It really takes some skill to saw off the branch you're sitting on."

Unfortunately, Erdogan is well versed in the essence of the "double game" and has repeatedly demonstrated this to Russia. This Turkish expert insists: "It's time to consider changing the strategy." Appointing Yerkhov will be a turning point.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7525254262889120298/

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