Russians in exile in Turkey’s Antalya face uncertain future • FRANCE 24 English

Ana’s beaches have always attracted Russian tourists but since Russia’s full skill invasion of Ukraine around 50,000 Russians made this Turkish Beach Resort their new home they have turned analia into somewhat of a mini Moscow with Russian shops schools and even a theater where children perform in Russia Andre fled Russia because of the war he founded this place to help others like him stay connected to their Roots despite being in Exile but attendance at his theater is now dropping as Turkish authorities have stopped renewing residency permits to the many Russians here it seems that suddenly officials woke up and decided that all Russians had to be kicked out everyone without exception is being rejected and leaving laws in Turkey changed frequently we’re uncertain about what the future holds for us for now we’re here legally but Anything Could Happen rental prices in Italia have searched nearly 400% since 2020 2 that’s partly due to a general inflation crisis in the country but this real estate agent says the influx of Russians has also have a huge impact on the local housing market it all changed when the Russians first came here and the prices just went super high the economy since then has just been like steady increasing with all the prices for everything but the Turkish uh locals here their salaries are still pretty low the housing crisis has had a huge impact on the local population last September Jenis and his family were evicted because his landlord wanted to Triple his rent which as a baker he could not afford outraged he is now campaigning for the deportation of all foreigners I don’t see anyone smiling here because the Russians have really heard the Turkish people with their presence it’s almost like we’re refugees in our own country some Russians like Andre say they would be at risk if they returned to Russia others like Valentina simply want to hold on to the life they’ve built up here this is their country they have the right to decide how to deal with foreigners of course but it’s a Pity that people have to leave because you get close to people and the children get used to their friends well this is how life is now for dozens of Russians each day Exile in the Turkish Riviera is coming to an end not all of them return to Russia however for those who can afford it the top destinations now include Dubai and barley

Some 50,000 Russians flocked to Antalya, a beach resort town in southern Turkey, since the war in Ukraine started in February 2022. But Turkish authorities have recently stopped renewing residence permits to Russians living in the country, leaving many in exile worried about their future on the Turkish Riviera.
#Russia #Turkey #Antalya

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31 comments

  3. Turks, if possible, migrate to the West. Instead they get migrants, refugees, illegal immigrants from places like Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Central Asia (Uzbeks, Turkmens, etc.), Caucasus, Russia, Iran (They mostly work as realtors or have businesses and mostly live in Istanbul). Incidents occur frequently and hatred is growing, especially against Afghans and Syrians. As I saw from Turkish twitter, just yesterday in Turkish city Kayseri the Syrian committed r*pe, and local residents began to burn their property. Türkiye is not a developed country and has economic problems itself, so uncontrolled migrants and refugees can increase social tensions.

  11. As Turkish i am very happy with Russians in my country they learn Turkish very well and fit up with our sociaty , They have respect for our religion and culture. RESPECT is something what we never see from France so please ….. of !

  13. Every country should prohibit property sales to non-citizens. While obtaining a residence permit should be straightforward, it should be within a rental-based economy. I say this as a permanent resident.

    I disagree with the stance of the Turkish individual who was evicted for not paying the market rate. Much of the recent increase in housing prices has been a necessary correction after four years of a struggling housing market.

  15. Russians out! Syrians out! Afghans out! Ukrainians out! Pakistanis out! Turkiye is a poor country. We are not Europe. How can you expect local population to live with this burden? Is this fair?

  16. Unfortunately the Turkish government chose to drive out the civilized Russians while keeping and inviting immigrants from Islamic backgrounds who are more difficult to integrate into the Turkish society. Russians and Ukrainians are no burden to the Turkish economy, unlike the refugees. Those "Turks" who speak in the video are clearly not locals, I can hear from the accents.

  19. They messed up housing and inflation in Antalya they can always go somewhere else. Also if you like to stay in Turkey I’m sure with a proper job/business ownership you can always extend your residency. Besides don’t forget to learn some Turkish it would always help.

  23. May the whole world bow down to the tolerance, humanity and hospitality of the Turks and never forget what a true nation the Turks are. May God protect and glorify the Turks 🇹🇷🇹🇷

  25. As a Turkish citizen I fully support the foreigners in my country whether they are Russian or any other nationality. Turks have utilised smooth immigration in Europe and they should apply similar standards in Türkiye as well. I also migrated to europe, European countries don’t just neglect your status, if you work and contribute legally they renew your residence permit. This should be same for Russian in Türkiye. I believe the only problem is our current government who doesn’t have effective or efficient immigration policies, the available policies are just working in favour of rich Arabs. But in the end Türkiye is also struggling a lot in terms of currency and economy in general, so I would advise to consider different options as well. Most of the Turks are also trying to leave or escape the country. The beaches in Antalya and the weather might be nice but in the background there isn’t a strong economy that promises a guaranteed future. Yet if you think to invest it would be a better idea, since the population is rising and market is growing, but individual life quality is still same or worse. Good luck to foreigners in Türkiye.

  28. I am Turkish and I live in Antalya, Russians are very strange people, they think the whole world knows Russian and we cannot get along..

  31. Urban Turks do speak many languages. English is the main one generally. British and Russians don't care about learning any, living in Turkey, Spain, etc. They are mocked by so many international people.

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