[elthran]

I agree they're not on the same level - but I think this is more Putin have a superior intellect and grasp of subtlety and Realpolitik than Erdogan. I'm fully expecting Putin to pull the old President/Prime Minister switcheroo again in 2024, after winning the 2018 election.

[workusername]

Putin subtle? Like the switcheroo? And a second one would be subtle? The guy's an outright buffoon.

[vidarh]

It's not that Putin is subtle. It's that Erdogan is much less so.

[aquadrop]

I'm not sure about that, in 2030 he'll be 75 years old, he might have different perspective at this age.

[ousta]

you clearly underestimate the man. erdogan is a brilliant politician probably the greatest of our generation with putin and do not worry he does not need europe. actually joining europe will be bad for turkey on so much levels that it does not make sense