Five Commonalities Between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Dizi Sindelar (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) These two sixty-something politicians are the leaders of two large, important, and influential countries at the far eastern borders of Europe. However, the similarities between Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan do not end here. The Russian President arrived in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, on December 1st to discuss foreign policy, energy, and to sign a $100 billion trade agreement with Erdoğan. Of course, the two countries have clear differences in foreign policy. Turkey is a staunch opponent of Bashar al-Assad, while Vladimir Putin stands almost single-handedly behind Assad, defending his presidency in Syria with all his might. Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Erdoğan has expressed concern for the fate of the Crimean Tatars. Nevertheless, the similarities between 62-year-old Vladimir Putin and 60-year-old Recep Tayyip Erdoğan outweigh their differences. Both grew up in poverty and were athletes in their youth. Vladimir Putin grew up in a state apartment in St. Petersburg, then known as Leningrad. It is said that during those days he hunted rats on the stairwells of the apartment complex. He was a rebellious and lively youth who took up Sambo (a Russian martial art) and judo from his teenage years and managed to earn a black belt in judo. He has also released a training video titled 'Learn Judo with Vladimir Putin.' Recep Tayyip Erdoğan grew up in the Kasımpaşa neighborhood of Istanbul, selling lemonade and sesame bread as a teenager to earn pocket money. It is said that he still goes to the old barber in Kasımpaşa for his haircuts. He played semi-professional football for 13 years on the Kasımpaşa team. During the recent presidential election campaign, he managed to score a hat trick in a friendly match. The foundation of both leaders' political activities is based on the philosophy of 'great nation' and competing with Western countries. Both have extended their terms in office by making changes to the country's constitution and have adjusted the balance of power in their favor by switching between the presidency and prime ministership. Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have managed to remain in power for 15 and 11 years, respectively. This long tenure has an exceptional characteristic. Both Turkey and Russia are dissatisfied with the continuous criticism from the West regarding the situations in Ukraine, Syria, and the criticism of the weakness of democracy in their countries, viewing it as a form of Western interference. Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party seeks to implement Islamic laws in secular Turkey. Recently, he implicitly stated that Turkey is abandoning its request to join the European Union and will join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is under the influence of China and Russia. Vladimir Putin also views Russia's stance on Ukraine as a barrier against NATO aggression and has accused the West of starting another Cold War. Both leaders utilize religion for expanding their influence, with Erdoğan representing Sunni Islam and Putin representing Orthodox Christianity. Both own palaces. Erdoğan's newly constructed presidential palace has recently been the center of public attention. This white palace, with Ottoman architecture, is built on an area of 150,000 square meters where a public park used to be located in Ankara. The presidential complex, with a thousand rooms, marble flooring, and a highly advanced security system, was built at a cost of $615 million. His supporters say that this palace represents the country's prosperity and Erdoğan's importance as a man who is rebuilding modern Turkey. In contrast to Erdoğan's presidential palace, Vladimir Putin's palace is located in a more private area away from public view. His luxurious house by the Black Sea, built in the Baroque architectural style and resembling the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, cost $1 billion. In addition to its vast grounds and views, it features a casino, swimming pool, and a helicopter landing pad. The Italian architect of this house received citizenship from Russia in August. Both leaders have suppressed political opponents and protesters. In 2011 and 2012, Russia witnessed the suppression of civil institutions, independent media, and protesters in Bolotnaya Square in response to electoral violations. Over 400 people were arrested and attacked by police during these protests. Dozens of these protesters are still in prison, and some are awaiting trial. In Turkey, widespread protests in 2013 and 2014, with over three million participants, were violently suppressed. Demonstrators opposing the conversion of Gezi Park into a construction site faced brutal police repression, resulting in over ten deaths and more than 5,500 legal prosecutions. Another similarity between the two leaders is their stance on women's rights. Last week, Erdoğan stated that, according to Islam, the maternal duty of women takes precedence over everything, and gender equality is against the laws of nature. This controversial statement is not his first conservative religious stance against the country's female population. He has also opposed population control programs. An unexpected joke by Vladimir Putin recently surprised attendees. In this joke about the EU's policy in defense of the Euro, he humorously told German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 'It doesn't matter what you do on your wedding night; the result is the same in the end.' This summer, in response to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who compared him to Hitler, he said, 'It's better not to argue with a lady.' Recently divorced, he once remarked, 'Anyone who can live for at least two weeks with Lyudmila (his ex-wife) deserves a statue.'