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Russia has expressed interest in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli's proposal for a Türkiye-Russia-China alliance to counter the West, with Moscow's top diplomat in Türkiye calling the idea "very interesting" and "quite logical."
Russian Charge d'Affaires in Türkiye Alexei Ivanov said the alliance proposal reflects a sound understanding of global dynamics.
"The idea expressed by leader Bahceli seemed very interesting to us. Bahceli looks quite logically at the ongoing processes," Ivanov told Turkish newspaper Nefes in an interview, the original Russian text of which was provided by the Russian diplomatic mission's press service to RIA Novosti.
"Russia, Türkiye and China are key players of the multipolar world, both in a potential trilateral format and in international structures," Ivanov added.
Bahceli, the leader of MHP, proposed last year creating an alliance with Russia and China as a counterweight to what he termed a "coalition of evil" consisting of the United States and Israel.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's first comment was, "To be honest, I haven't been able to follow it closely, everything will turn out well."
Ivanov said Moscow and Ankara have established good coordination on pressing international and regional issues.
"Good coordination has been established between our countries on hot issues of the international and regional agenda: on Ukraine, in the Black Sea, in the South Caucasus, in the Middle East and Africa, in Afghanistan, as well as in other relevant areas," he said.
The Russian diplomat noted that Türkiye continues contacts with Moscow and Kyiv as part of mediation efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with the window of opportunity for the negotiating process remaining open.
Russia and Ukraine have held three rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul, resulting in prisoner exchanges and the transfer of bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
The sides have also exchanged draft memoranda on conflict settlement.
Ivanov said Russia expects Ankara to take Moscow's interests into account in its position on Ukraine.
"Many in the West do not like the constructive progressive development of Russian-Turkish relations. Hence—illegal sanctions, direct blackmail and even threats. Such tools are well known to everyone and are used not only against Russia," Ivanov said.
"In turn, Russia is satisfied with the level of bilateral cooperation with Türkiye. At the same time, of course, more could be done. In foreign policy terms, we always expect Ankara to take into account Russia's interests regarding its position on Ukraine," he added.
Ivanov characterized Russian-Turkish relations as having reached the level of "strategic partnership" despite unprecedented external pressure.
"The attitude of the Turkish people towards Russia is very respectful and interested. Our societies are intertwined: there are many mixed marriages, Russians know Türkiye well and are interested in its rich culture," he said.
"Our cultural-mental code is close: we are committed to traditional values, the imposed neoliberal agenda is unacceptable to us," the diplomat added.
He identified energy cooperation, particularly nuclear energy, as well as Russian gas, oil and petroleum products, agriculture and tourism as the drivers of bilateral trade and economic relations for 2026.
Ivanov said Russia has established solid bilateral contacts with the new Syrian leadership under Ahmad al-Sharaa.
"Russia, with the coming to power of Ahmed al-Sharaa, has established solid bilateral contacts with his team. Several visits have taken place, including trips by Ahmed al-Sharaa to Russia," Ivanov said.
"Russia is a reliable friend of Syria, and they know this in Damascus. We stand for the inviolability of Syria's territorial integrity and interfaith harmony. We would like to see Syria stable, strong and harmonious," he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Sharaa at the Kremlin in late January, with delegations from both countries in attendance.
Ivanov acknowledged that challenges with banking payments continue due to Western sanctions pressure, though he said this issue is constantly on the agenda.
"A new round of bilateral consultations on this issue is being prepared. We are convinced and even see that the Turkish side is aware of everything and is taking the necessary measures to minimize the damage," he said.
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