Tue Sep 10 20:33:50 UTC 2024: ## Putin’s Ankara Visit Delayed Again: Fighter Jets and Hotel Concerns

**Ankara, Turkey** – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-awaited visit to Turkey has been delayed yet again, with sources revealing the reason for the repeated postponements: stringent security demands from Moscow.

According to sources familiar with Russian thinking, Putin insists on traveling to Ankara with a fighter jet escort, potentially concerned about Ukraine’s capabilities to target aircraft on the route. This demand has proven problematic as NATO air-defence systems in Turkey could perceive Russian jets as hostile.

“Turkey is unlikely to shut down NATO systems to accommodate the Russian request,” said one source involved in the discussions.

The demand for fighter jets is not the only hurdle. Russian officials have also expressed concerns about the three major hotel chains in Ankara – Hilton, Sheraton, and JW Marriott – being US-owned. They perceive these hotels as unsafe for the Russian head of state, potentially pushing for a government guesthouse, a highly unusual protocol.

While security concerns appear valid, sources point out that Putin could simply make a quick visit, as seen with the recent visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who stayed only for a few hours.

Previous visits by foreign heads of state have not involved escorting fighter jets, making this request unusual.

“I cannot recall any visit where the foreign heads of state would like to bring over his or her country’s fighter jets along,” said one former Turkish ambassador.

Despite these hurdles, both countries are discussing the possibility of a visit in the first week of October.

While Turkey and Russia share strategic relationships in energy, trade, and tourism, their relationship has experienced tensions. Putin recently criticized Turkey’s arms supply to Ukraine, and Moscow is uneasy about Turkish banking practices after US sanctions on Russian banks.

Despite these challenges, both countries are discussing the potential construction of a second nuclear power plant in Sinop and the establishment of a gas hub in western Turkey.

The Turkish foreign ministry declined to comment on the matter.

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