Star. Turkey Sept 30 2017 Did We Reach Agreement With Putin or Over Which Issues Can We Reach Agreement? by Sevil Nuriyeva [Armenian News note: the below is translated from Turkish] Why did Russia for days, contrary to expectations, not issue very strong statements about the referendum in Northern Iraq? First of all, there is one issue that we should be aware of! As a state, Russia is a federal entity. And as far as Russia is concerned and in line with its founding philosophy, realization of a people's own wishes within the framework of autonomy is acceptable. However, there is a limit to that! It is normal for Russia to extend its backing to Kurds who want autonomy in Northern Iraq. However, Russia cannot possibly say ''yes'' to independence. It is very clear; if Russia says ''yes'' to a situation that poses a threat to Iraq's territorial integrity, it then opens the door to the autonomy of Turkish Muslims in Russia such as Tatarstan, Dagestan, Chechnya, Bashkortostan, and their demands for independence in the future! This is tantamount to Russia's collapse. Therefore, as far as Russia is concerned, an autonomous Kurdistan province in Northern Iraq is something that needs to be backed within Iraqi lands. Secondly, given that Russia strongly objected to the ethnic cleansing of or demographic changes against the ethnic Russians in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine, it cannot accept the cleansing against the Turkmen in Kirkuk. Otherwise, its demands in Ukraine will be refuted. On the other hand, while seeking to get everyone to agree to a referendum in Crimea, Russia cannot strongly object to Erbil's referendum. Russia is in favour of establishing dialogue with the Kurds in an environment of chaos without taking on Turkey and Iran and absolutely without having a favourable view of the independence. At a time when everyone is at loggerheads with each other, Russia does not wish to lose the arbitrator role to the Americans. In such a situation, by using a calm language, Russia is seeking, absolutely without having a favourable view of the independence, to become a state confessed as ''desirable and invited forces'' [as received] at the table. This situation will, in the future, strengthen Russia's hand and help the country always to have a say in terms of its dominance in the former Soviet landscape. One should not forget that in the past Russia always used the red Kurdistan as an anti-Turkey force against Turkey, a NATO ally, and to bypass Turkey's alliance with the Turkish Muslim communities in its region. Turkey enjoys some serious significance in the Caucasus and in Russia. This is not only true for the present time. The bond Tatars, Chechens, Bashkirs, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Sakhas, and Circassians have with Turkey, despite them being evacuated [as received], are still strong. Given the likelihood that this may cause problems in the future, Russia sees the entity in Iraq and the Kurdish leverage in Syria as some leverage that can be used [as received]. Putin does not wish to lose Erdogan at all because he sees Erdogan as a serious figure in terms of global balance. Turkey's and Erdogan's stance is one fact that saves Putin from being ''the only target.'' Turkey's power in Russia's sphere of influence and its definition is something that cannot be grasped for the time being. Putin is aware of that! Given his statist stance, his wish to liberate Russia from pressures, and his awareness of the ambition of the US political establishment to finish him off, Turkey and Erdogan are for him an indescribable support. That is why efforts of the Armenian and Jewish lobby, which is seriously vocal in the Russian media, to create an anti-Turkey public opinion are growing by the day. That the Anglo-Saxon alliance and the Israeli lobby keep this alive is a serious situation that should not be ignored. Russia is currently advocating the integrity of the state in Syria and Iraq just like Turkey is doing. In the meantime, Russia is hoping that oil prices will drop in this chaotic environment. When there is a war, its arms sales will increase and this means a contribution to Russian economy. Therefore, it is not right to expect Putin to use a stronger language than the one he is currently using. In this situation, Russia will be active in the region and consolidate dialogue with everyone. Russia's own fate depends on this. To those ignorant people who are incapable of assessing Turkey's value even though they live in Turkey, I make the following suggestion, ''reread the codes of this nation.'' Scientific political path is currently the path that is most desperately needed. We will not be humiliated nor will we humiliate! Turkey is strong enough to decide both its own fate and the fate of the world of Islam through scientific politics, national codes, state reason as well as its political and national will. As for the worst-case scenarios of certain people, this is part of the operation against Turkey. Those who have a path, faith, and cause will undoubtedly reach their goal.