A Russian artist unveiled four giant paintings of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in central Istanbul on Saturday, saying he wanted to show the good ties between Ankara and Moscow despite differences over Syria and other issues.Russian artist and former mayor of Arkhangelsk Alexander Donskoy picks up a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin at Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey February 15, 2020. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
However shortly after Alexander Donskoy unveiled his “Putin is Russia?” project in Istiklal Street, authorities took down his paintings because he had not received permission to display them there.
“Currently, we have an exacerbation of relations with Turkey,” artist Alexander Donskoy told Reuters. “So, I show here, right in the center of Turkey, on its main street where the Russian embassy is at, that Putin is Russia.”
“I wanted to draw attention to how Putin is taken in Russia: like a superhero. So I wrote on portraits ‘Putin is superhero’,” Donskoy said.
Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the Syrian war but have collaborated to seek a political solution, while forging close ties in the defense and energy sectors.
But a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive since December in the northwestern Idlib region has disrupted ties. Ankara and Moscow have traded barbs in recent days, accusing each other of flouting agreements to curb violence in Idlib.
Media reports this week have cited the Russian ambassador to Turkey as saying he had received several death threats since tensions flared after 13 Turkish troops were killed in Idlib in Syrian government attacks.
Donskoy said he wanted to provoke emotions in people passing by the paintings and see their reactions. He said he planned to hold more exhibits elsewhere, including in the United States.
“There will be more in the countries of Western democracy. So I will show that the Russian people consider sanctions against Putin like sanctions against themselves,” he said.
“So, I am an ambassador of peace.”
Additional reporting by Yesim Dikmen; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Frances Kerry; Editing by Frances Kerry
BY REUTERS
ISTANBUL (Reuters) –
