Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has called the downing of a Russian Su-24 Fencer bomber by Turkey a “reckless criminal act” that will worsen relations between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
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Konashenkov said that that reports distributed by foreign media about Russian air forces allegedly hitting a Turkish ‘humanitarian convoy’ near the Bab al-Salam border crossing in northern Syria were “misinformation”.
Dalgakiran said Russian and Turkish authorities should overcome this hard situation as both countries obtain great benefits from this partnership.
“We believe treacherous stabs in the back from those who we considered partners and allies in the anti-terror fight to be absolutely inexplicable”, he said, also accusing Turkey of buttressing the IS jihadists financially and militarily.
The Turks were forced to downgrade their ambitions from the ouster of Mr. Assad to simply maintaining a seat at the negotiating table when the time comes, said Soner Cagaptay, a Turkish analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Moscow says its military involvement in Syria is aimed at battling terrorist groups including Islamic State, casting the campaign to a supportive Russian public as a moral crusade that must be completed despite obstruction from elsewhere.
“We still have not heard any articulate apologies from Turkey’s highest political level nor any proposals to compensate for the harm and damage nor promises to punish criminals responsible for their crimes”, Putin said.
If Russia responds by downing a Turkish plane, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member Turkey could proclaim itself under attack and ask the alliance for military assistance.
The statement also said the Russian ambassador was told to convey Turkey’s expectation from Moscow officials to take additional security measures to protect Turkish diplomatic offices and premises of Turkish companies in the country. “If they prove it, Tayyip Erdogan would step down”.
Russian Federation on Thursday said its forces had wiped out Syrian rebel groups operating in the area where one of its jets was brought down, unleashing a huge bombardment after rescuing a pilot.
Russian forces have shown no sign of backing down, launching a heavy bombardment against insurgent-held areas in Latakia on Wednesday, near where the jet crashed.
Almost 4.5 million Russians visited Turkey past year, making them second only to German tourists among visitors to the country.
Moscow has already warned its nationals against visiting Turkey and stepped up controls of Turkish agricultural imports.
Turkey has been quietly seething ever since Russian Federation began military operations against Syrian rebels two months ago, wrecking Ankara’s policy of ousting the government of President Bashar Assad.
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Energy-poor Turkey relies on Russian Federation for over half of its natural gas imports and the two sides agreed to build the pipeline under the Black Sea.
