Russian Federation says one pilot rescued by Syrian army

At the same timed, Erdogan said he has tried in vain to speak by phone to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation and expressed hope they could meet at the sidelines of a climate summit in Paris next Monday.

Following a meeting with French President François Hollande at the Kremlin on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the notion that Turkey was unaware the plane it shot down for allegedly violating the nation’s airspace was Russian.

Russian Federation however said no warning had been given and that the aircraft did not violate Turkish airspace.

Russia would not go to war with Turkey over the incident, Lavrov said Wednesday, but Russian officials have threatened retaliatory measures, including a curb on travel to Turkey by Russian tourists and restrictions on trade.

The Russian navy missile cruiser Moskva also moved closer to the shore to help protect Russian warplanes with its long-range Fort air defense system.

“We sadly see that our representation offices in Russian Federation and Turkish companies in the country have been targeted in recent days”, the Turkish ministry statement said.

One of the Russian pilots was killed by militants in Syria after ejecting from the plane, while his crewmate was rescued by Syrian army commandos. A Russian marine sent to recover the crew was also killed in an attack by rebels.

Turkey has also released audio recordings of what it says are the warnings given to the Russian pilot before the jet was shot down. A voice on the recording can be heard saying “change your heading” in English.

“Faced with the same violation today, Turkey would give the same response”, Erdogan said.

Erdogan lamented Russia’s intention to halt economic cooperation with Turkey, saying political leaders should talk first.

Medvedev further said a decision will be taken on the basis of a Russian law that covers the issues of ensuring Russia’s security.

But while Russian Federation may mothball deals with Turkish firms and curb imports of Turkish goods, it is unlikely to let the fallout affect energy exports that are the core of their economic relationship. “I think this is the essence”, CNN quoted him as saying. Any reaction could exacerbate both countries’ economic troubles.