Speaking about Russia-Turkey relations, Shoigu said the two countries have a very difficult work, but very effective work.  

“Collaboration. It is difficult because they hinder us. Turkey’s NATO membership also hinders it. But in itself, I would say that it is even a unique experience when one country is in NATO, another country is not a member of NATO,” the minister said.

Shoigu stressed that Russia and Turkey manage to find compromises even where it seems impossible. “For example, the Idlib de-escalation zone. The creation of such zones in Syria, in our opinion, is a new page and a new mechanism for resolving such conflicts. We are working together to fight terrorists. We regulate and control many checkpoints and deal with refugees.”

Shoigu also touched upon Russia-Turkey cooperation to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

“This is not a very easy operation. That is what I would like to call it because a huge number of arguments, elements, and motives were involved in it. On the other hand, after Turkey's involvement in this issue, it was necessary to talk and deal with Turkish colleagues as well. Our president made a titanic effort to make all this happen and had to convince everyone. What has been done today is, firstly, that people have stopped killing each other, and secondly, I hope that now is the time for them to switch to bilateral contacts and talk with each other. I mean Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the Russian minister said.  

Shoigu went on to say that here a lot depends on Russia-Turkey relations.

“New players and old neighbors appear, and they put forward new proposals about the development of infrastructure, the railway, hydropower and transport links. I mean Iran,” he added.

More about: Russia   Sergei-Shoigu