The Turkish Factor within the EAEU Space: Competitive Cooperation through the Prism of Russia’s Interests

Abstract

The research analyzes the role of Turkish factor in the EAEU space through the prism of Russia’s interests under current conditions of political and economic turbulence and geopolitical escalation. Aim and tasks. Having defined the interaction between the actors as competitive cooperation, the author aims to comprehend the main directions and mechanisms of its implementation; to identify priority directions for expanding Turkish influence in the Eurasian space, to analyze current trends and factors of influence, to present a long-term outlook of Turkish presence in the region. Methods. The author uses a combination of general scientific theoretical and special methods; the method of comparative analysis and the logical method are of particular importance. Results. Due to the EAEU countries’ intention to diversify foreign policy and economic cooperation with external partners, there is no doubt that competitive cooperation in the region as well as the weight of the Turkish factor will increase, changing the structure of interstate cooperation in the Eurasian space. Conclusion. Russia is interested in increasing economic efficiency and political attractiveness of the Eurasian integration model as well as building a trajectory of pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation with Türk iye. Without Russia’s due attention the Turkish presence сan turn out to acquire a systemic and long-term character in the areas strategically important for Russian economy and geopolitics.