Russia Turkey Syria Warplane Tensions

The U.S. State Department has officially rejected Russia’s claims that Turkey smuggles oil along with militants of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

He pointed out that if Russian Federation wants to restore the relations with Turkey, it should open diplomatic channels for negotiations.

Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey ethically does not resort to such deals, stressing that Moscow had no solid ground to prove the claims.

The Russian President opened his speech thanking Russian servicemen fighting global terrorism and honouring the two dead men with a minute’s silence.

The meeting would be the first between senior officials from the two countries since Turkey downed the Russian warplane, touching off a crisis between the two countries that previously enjoyed warm ties.

Moscow deployed long-range air defense missile systems to its base in Syria and slammed an array of economic sanctions on Turkey, including a ban on imports of fruit and vegetables and the sales of tour packages.

Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Anatoly Antonov, says IS makes $2.7 billion (US) a year from the trade. “What a marvelous family business!” Antonov said with sarcasm.

“Maybe I’m being too blunt, but one can only entrust control over this thieving business to one’s closest associates”.

Turkey has vehemently denied the ISIL oil claims, with Erdogan saying again on Wednesday that he would resign from his post if they could be proved. “We just don’t believe that to be true in any way, shape or form”. Maybe Russia is testing global reactions, or perhaps is even attempting to militarily provoke Turkey.

“It’s hard not to notice them”, Rudskoy said of the lines of trucks shown on satellite images.

Turkey said the Russian SU-24 fighter plane intruded into its airspace and ignored repeated warnings to leave.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the president’s statement didn’t mean that Russian military officers have been put in charge of some Syrian army units but referred to a “coordination of Syrian army’s offensive operations with air support”. Erdogan has voiced regret over the incident, but Putin has made it clear that he expects a formal apology.

World leaders have urged both sides to avoid escalation.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey are set to meet in Belgrade Thursday, amid a row between the nations over Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet over the Syrian-Turkish border last month.

Lavrov said he “heard nothing new” from Cavusoglu.

“Turkey is the main destination for the oil stolen from its legitimate owners, which are Syria and Iraq”.

“We will not rattle our sabres”.

Davutoglu maintained that the Russian characteristics dating back to the Soviet era which were thought to have disappeared after the Cold War have been “re-emerging one by one”.

“Turkey hoped that Russian Federation has got rid of the USSR’s propaganda rhetoric, but facts show quite the opposite”, he added.

“Turkey is taking steps to improve the security of its border with Syria, working with global partners”.