Russian-Turkish Cooperation in the Transition to a Multipolar World (Black Sea – Sea of Azov Format)

The modern "tectonic" changes in the system of international relations are complemented by the transformation of transnational macro-regional structures that have developed in the conditions of the post-bipolar world and globalization, including, inter alia, the maritime transborder regions surrounding Russia. Significant structural metamorphoses are also characteristic of the Black Sea Region, whose aqua-territorial integrity (re-formed three decades ago against the background of the destruction of the USSR and the geostrategic expansion of the West) is now being "eroded", transforming into a parallel unfolding Russian, Turkish and Euro-Atlantic Black Sea regionalization. The most important systemic "staple" of the Black Sea Region remains, at the same time, it is the Russian-Turkish trans-equatorial relationships that strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic and regained positive
dynamics in the conditions of sanctions imposed by the collective West against the Russian Federation. The article focuses on the pan-Eurasian geopolitical and geo-economic determinants of interaction between Russia and Turkey in the Black Sea Region, on the changing balance of macro-regional positions and interests of the two states (with an emphasis on maritime and "seaside" economic, residential and military-strategic activity), as well as on strategic priorities and the main directions of "mutually supportive" co-development of Russia and Turkey in in the Black Sea Region of their partnership-competition.