Post-1989 Russia must be regarded as a Great Power again. Moscow is the Third Rome, i.e. the Head of Christian Orthodoxy. And the traditional image, in the frame of which Russia and Turkey were foes throughout the centuries does not correspond to reality. Evidence may be provided by the 1833 Hünkâr İskelesi bilateral Treaty, thanks to which the thorny issue of the Straits was settled advantageously for both Empires. And given that nowadays some of the major problems of the Near East have to do with Turkey and Greece, it is imperative for Russia to undertake a mediator role, for the USA and the EU have been unable to find a solution so far.