Russian President Vladimir Putin. Archival photoMOSCOW, 14 Aug. Cooperation between the presidents of Russia and Turkey outrages Western countries, writes Steven Erlanger for The New York Times. «This relationship is causing great irritation among Erdogan's NATO allies, as he creates a significant gap in the dam of sanctions, which the West is trying with all its might to build,» the publication says. 
Bloomberg explained how Putin saved ErdoganAccording to the author, the desire of the Turkish leader not to spoil relations with Russia is due to Moscow's readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation. The journalist recalls that Turkey has refused to support Western sanctions and is exploring the possibility of working with Russian banks that have fallen under restrictions, and also readily accepts payments by Russian credit cards. In addition, Ankara gets access to cheap energy and profits from deals with Russian companies. Of particular importance to Erdogan is Russia's agreement to his efforts to crack down on Kurdish separatism in Syria, where Moscow backs Bashar al-Assad's government, Erlanger added. does not have foreign currency, the author reminds. «Mutual challenges brought the two presidents closer than ever. They met twice in the last three weeks,» he concluded. 
The West called the United States a «crazy gerontocracy» and a banana republic assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars, the European Union has already adopted seven packages of restrictive measures, including an embargo on coal and oil. The Kremlin called these measures an economic war the likes of which have never been seen before. As President Vladimir Putin noted, containment and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy for the West, but the sanctions have dealt a severe blow to the entire global economy. We are with Russia.» The Turks are angry with the West
