Russia’s Gazprom has suspended construction of its Turkish Stream pipeline after Turkey downed a Russian warplane.
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The downing of the plane prompted Russian sanctions against Turkey, which responded with countermeasures on Wednesday. The Russian government has been instructed to take measures providing for a ban on charter flights between the two countries. “But I don’t think [it will be suspended] for more than two years”. Moscow denies the Turkish account – President Vladimir Putin called the downing a “stab in the back by accomplices of terrorists”.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced Turkey and Azerbaijan’s intentions to complete the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) ahead of schedule.
Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press ServiceIn this photo provided by the Presidential Press Service, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani shake hands before a meeting at his new presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. “We want future generations to keep the relationship on a high level”, Ilham Aliyev said.
Davutoglu expressed his disfavor at the claims by Moscow, saying they will not help find a solution to the dispute.
Davutoglu said Turkey was doing all it can and is setting up “physical barriers” on that stretch of border. “The accusations should end”.
Davutoglu reminded Moscow that Ankara refused to join Western sanctions against Russian Federation over Ukraine.
On Tuesday, a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti that talks on the Turkish Stream were suspended after a November 24 incident in which a Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber in Syria.
As a country that was unhappy when other countries imposed sanctions on them, Russiashould not do the same, Davutoğlu stated.
Negotiations over the pipeline also hit snags even before Turkey shot down the Russian jet.
Ditching the pipeline project is likely to impact both sides.
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While Putin has repeatedly said Russian troops in Syria won’t engage in ground combat, the statement signalled the high degree of the Russian military’s involvement in co-ordinating Syrian army action.
