Gevorg Petrosian: Ankara tries to strengthen its position in Crimea

Crimean Tatars take a pro-Turkish position, which is Ankara’s trump card in the issue of Crimea, Turkologist Gevorg Petrosian told reporters today.

“In this case Russia is the only adversary of Turkey in the Black Sea. Official Ankara is trying to strengthen its position in the Crimea. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu visited Kiev and met with the leaders of Crimean Tatars. He thus gave to understand that Turkey will support Crimean Tatars and that Crimea’s annexation by Russia does not stem from Ankara’s interests,” Petrosian said.

Expert on propaganda issues Karen Vrtanesian said for his part that Turkey has long ‘worked’ with Crimea.

“Turkish schools were opened there. Protests in support of Crimea have already been staged in Ankara,” Vrtanesian noted. Yet he considered a resumption of war for Crimea as unlikely. “The West may limit itself to making anti-Russian statements and imposing sanctions, but war is unlikely,” Vrtanesian said.