Vladimir Putin has few allies and conciliatory interlocutors at the moment. So when they are in power, it is essential for the Russian president that they stay there. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival for the Turkish presidential election due to take place on Sunday, accused anonymous Russian actors on Thursday of spreading deepfakes and other forms of disinformation aimed at trying to influence the outcome of the poll.
The Kremlin has “strongly” denied the allegation and Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to the defense of the Russian president during a television appearance as part of his campaign on Friday. “Kemal Kiliçdaroglu is attacking Russia, Mr Putin. If you attack Putin, I will not agree,” the Turkish president said. “Our relations with Russia are no less important than those with the United States.”
Smear campaign and faked videos
Erdogan has strived to maintain good relations with Moscow since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. NATO member Turkey has enjoyed discounts on Russian energy imports and refused to endorse Western sanctions against the Kremlin. Ankara is also trying to establish itself as a central actor in the dialogue between Moscow and kyiv, in particular by being the guarantor of the agreement on the export of cereals.
The latest polls predict Sunday’s ballot will be close. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu’s comments came as part of an increasingly aggressive campaign. Muharrem Ince, a third-party candidate, announced his withdrawal on Thursday after being the target of an Internet smear campaign that included doctored photos of him appearing with women and driving luxury cars. Erdogan has also broadcast doctored videos at some of his meetings, attempting to associate Kemal Kiliçdaroglu with the PKK, a banned Kurdish militia that Turkey and its allies consider “terrorists”.