The Russian Delegation Visits the Leading Scientific Centers in Ankara
From November 20-22, a visit of Russian experts to Ankara, organized by the Primakov Center in collaboration with the Russian House in Ankara, took place. The delegation included representatives from IMEMO, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MGIMO, and other institutions.
The visit of the Russian delegation began with a meeting with Alexei Yerkhov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Türkiye, during which the current state of Türkiye's foreign policy and the dynamics of Russian-Turkish cooperation were discussed.
Then, the delegation participated in a discussion "Russia and Türkiye in the Changing Security Architecture of Western Asia" on the site of the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM). Experts examined Russian and Turkish approaches to analyzing the transformation of the region's security architecture and exchanged views on the prospects for development and resolution of regional conflicts. Special attention during the meeting was given to the Syrian issue in the context of the foreign policies of both countries.
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I am quite optimistic about further communication and interaction with Russian experts. We share a wealth of common experience and similar national interests in the region. The historical ties between Russia and Türkiye play an important role in developing bilateral expert dialogue and strengthening cooperation.
The second day of the Russian delegation's working visit took place at the Faculty of Political Science, Ankara University, where a conference was held to discuss the role of Eurasianism in the context of modern international cooperation. At the center of the discussion was the collective monograph "Eurasianism: A Shared Vision," edited by Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia.
The event was opened by the university's rector Necdet Unuvar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Türkiye Alexei Yerkhov, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Türkiye Viktor Rybak.
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The concept of Eurasianism holds special significance for us, not only because our peoples share a common past and future but also because our efforts to create integrative associations and effective models of cooperation necessitate considering more than just financial, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian collaboration. It also calls for the presence of a shared Eurasian worldview, grounded in what is now commonly referred to as a common cultural code.
During three sessions, experts discussed the development of the Eurasian space, emphasizing the importance of balancing historical heritage with the need to address modern challenges. Special attention was given to Türkiye's position, where the Eurasian initiative acts as a stress test for its relations with other states, particularly in the context of the Global South. The discussions also touched on Ankara's efforts to diversify its international ties and its ambition to strengthen connections with the non-Western world, which opens up new opportunities for cooperation and interaction with Russia.
On the final day of their working trip, Russian experts engaged in lively debate where they discussed the potential for Russia-Türkiye cooperation within BRICS and the SCO. The experts first visited the Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE), where they took part in an expert discussion on Russian-Turkish cooperation. The participants examined the transformation of global governance institutions and Türkiye's prospects following its status as a BRICS partner.
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Global trade is increasingly centered around Eurasia, with China, Russia, and India standing out in particular, while BRICS is emerging as a new hub of economic influence. For countries striving to free themselves from Western hegemony and the pressures of transatlantic structures, BRICS offers a window of opportunity. Such countries are spread across different continents — in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Türkiye, on the one hand, seeks to maintain its NATO membership and continue engaging with Western institutions, including the process of rapprochement with the EU, while on the other, it views BRICS as an alternative. This balance appears to be the most rational approach from the perspective of Türkiye's national interests.
Next, a meeting took place at the Russian House, where Russian and Turkish experts discussed issues of humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Türkiye. The participants examined the current state and prospects for the development of cultural, educational, and scientific ties between the two countries. In addition, specialists from the Primakov Center presented their projects aimed at fostering bilateral dialogue.
You can find more information about Russian-Turkish relations in our recent interview with Hasan Ünal, Professor at Baskent University in Türkiye.