ArmInfo.The position of Turkey in recent years on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations not only did not soften, but became even tougher. This opinion on April 16 at a press conference was expressed by Victor Nadein-Rayevsky, senior researcher at the Institute of Political and Social Studies of the Black Sea- Caspian Region, leading researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
He recalled the planned and deliberate extermination of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey, which began long before 1915 and was carried out under the pretext of displacement and deportations. Nadein-Rayevsky recalled the presence of numerous facts proving this flagrant crime against humanity. The Russian expert also expressed regret that Turkey could not accept its own history, recognize the perfect fact and apologize, as for example, Germany did in its time.
According to him, numerous facts prove that today Turkish society is still not ready to touch its own history and recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking about the position of the Turkish authorities on this issue, he stated that if in 2008 he had some optimistic forecasts on the recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey, today they are completely dispelled. "The position of the Turkish authorities not only did not soften, but became even tougher than before, and this is reinforced by the victories that the ruling majority gained during electoral processes. I would also like to state that the "Gray Wolves" movement is gaining popularity again in modern Turkey and the idea of pan-Turkism, which laid the foundation of the Armenian Genocide in 1915, "the Russian Orientalist said, adding that anti-Armenian sentiments were always cultivated in Turkish society - from the very beginning, at one time less, at one time more, but it has always been.
According to him, unfortunately, his expectations regarding the recognition by Turkey of this crime are not optimistic, since the situation in the region has not changed as a whole, and Armenia continues to be perceived as an "eyesore." "Armenia, as before, is perceived as a wedge that hinders the reunification of the Turkic world. Although, as it would seem, Armenia does not interfere in anything, and certainly does not prevent anyone from reuniting," he said.
In conclusion, he touched upon the influence of the Russian position on the Armenian Genocide on Russian-Turkish relations. Nadein-Rayevski reminded how painful Ankara perceived the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan. According to him, it was this step of the Russian side that dealt a serious blow to the Nord Stream project, and complicated relations between Moscow and Ankara.