Daily Bash Diplomacy quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on Russian-Turkish relations following the downing of a Russian airplane flying in Turkish airspace:
As for Turkey, Russia, and the global energy transits, Turkey’s geography dictates that it will remain pivotally important as a global energy transit route from north to south, and from east to west. Turkey depends on Russia for a large proportion of its gas supplies, but in return, Russia depends on Turkey as an important export route for its gas. Moreover, Russia has a strong stake in exporting its nuclear energy technology, and Turkey is a prime customer. So, it seems to me both countries have a certain interdependency on energy issues. This can be a healthy and stabilizing factor, provided Turkey continues to seek to diversify its energy partnerships.