As a response to the incident, which was seen as a hostile act, Russian Federation suspended military contacts with Turkey and imposed economic sanctions.
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In a speech during a visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu again defended Turkey’s action and said Turkey won’t apologize for defending its borders. For the first time, however, the leader suggested that the country could not morally allow aircraft to trespass into Turkish territory before bombing Syria, where Turkish people live as well.
Should the pipeline be cancelled, both Russian Federation and Turkey will be affected by it. Russian Federation is economically dependent on selling its energy – its sales of oil and gas provide nearly half of the government’s revenue. The incident took place on November 24.
The premier stressed that Turkey did nothing but apply the rules of engagement by exercising its legitimate right to self-defense against an unidentified plane that entered Turkish airspace.
“The Russian sanctions against Turkey won’t knock our country down…Moscow should open diplomatic channels to resolve this crisis instead of imposing sanctions against Turkey”, Davutoglu said.
The Turkish Stream gas pipeline is one of the major projects for Russian Federation and Turkey.
“It can not go like this forever”, the daily quoted Cavusoglu as saying: “We are waiting with patience for a recovery of the relations”.
Turkey on December 3 offered its “condolences” for the Russian pilot shot down by Turkish F-16s. Russia also scrapped talks with Turkey on building a pipeline to export Russian natural gas to Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused Turkey of a “treacherous war crime” and has vowed to make Turkey “feel sorry” for its actions.
Lavrov told a televised news conference regarding the meeting, “We met with the head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on his insistent request”.
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In related news, Russian Federation says it has proof Turkey involved in Islamic State oil trade.
