Russia Türkiye strengthening cooperation amid Russia Ukraine war.

The bilateral relationship between Russia and Türkiye is ever-growing as the duo has agreed to carry on the S-400 defence system deal.

Russia is against the wall as it is facing global sanctions due to the invasion of Ukraine. Turkey on the other hand is proving out to be out a good friend to Russia and keeping its “balancing act” policy between Western allies and Russia.

• Russia and Türkiye reportedly have agreed upon the second shipment of the Russian S-400 defence system delivery.

Türkiye's decision to purchase the air defence system in 2017 led the NATO allies US- Türkiye into a rift which resulted in US threatening Turkey with sanctions, and eventually suspending Turkey from F-35 fighter jet development program.

Turkey received its first installment of the Russian S-400 missile defense system on 12 July 2019, as of 2020, 4 batteries consisting of 36 fire units, and 192+ missiles were delivered to Turkey.

S400 is said to be the “most advanced air defense system in the world currently available”, Siemon Wezeman of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said it “is among the most advanced air defense systems available.”

The Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) is the most advanced air defense system in the world, capable of bringing down the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets, and hardly any flaws are studied or found in the system it self.

• Political consultations between Turkey and Russia will be held in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday to discuss regional issues, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has said.

Russian and Turkish Foreign Minister delegations will address the Black Sea grain export deal, as well as regional issues such as Syria, Libya and Palestine, the ministry said in a statement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the meeting, saying engagement between the two countries carries on, and the exchange of views continues not only on Ukraine but also on other regional issues.

Türkiye has been playing a key role in keeping the humanitarian channels open between Kyiv and Moscow, and calling for the end of war through negotiations. The grain deal between Russia-Ukraine in which Türkiye played as mediator, has been vital to cope with global grain supply, but the deal has been halted since few months, leaving grain supply issue again looming globally.

Türkiye has been facing a rift with its fellow NATO allies, as Türkiye keeping the ties up with Russia who is responsible for waging war in Ukraine. The NATO wanted Türkiye to boycott the Russia, but Türkiye did not agree and said it will keep the balancing act between the west and Russia.

Though Türkiye has friendly relations with Ukraine as well, even Türkiye supporting Ukraine with sending Turkish made Bayraktar drones, which played vital role in causing serious damage to Russian advances in Ukraine, and forced Russia to change its strategies.

The alliance between Russia and Türkiye is based upon mutual benefits.

Russia is looking to curb effects of economic sanctions imposed by west.

Türkiye on the other hand is looking to maintain its regional ties with the neighbours and keep itself uplifted in the grim domestic economic conditions. It also wants to have a “plan-B”, if it distances itself with NATO allies, as US-Türkiye are going through a rift currently.

Türkiye recently has blamed western allies of not standing with it in the times of trouble and only seek help from it for their difficulties.