While divisions between Turkey and Russia are more tangible than those between Turkey and the West, relations between Turkey and Russia are consolidating into a de facto partnership, while those between Turkey and the West are edging towards sanctions. Why? The easy answer lies in domestic politics in Russia and Turkey. The other explanation is that in Syria, Libya or the Caucasus, the US and the EU have shied away from risk. Russia and Turkey have stepped into the vacuum, learning to come to terms with one another.