Russia and Turkey refuse to back down in row over jet downing
- 8 years ago
Russia sent an advanced missile system to Syria on Wednesday to protect its jets operating there and pledged its air force would keep flying missions near Turkish air space, sounding a defiant note after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet.
Underscoring the message, Russian forces launched a heavy bombardment against insurgent-held areas in Latakia on Wednesday, near where the jet was downed, rebels and a monitoring group said.
President Tayyip Erdogan made no apology, saying his nation had simply been defending its own security and the "rights of our brothers in Syria".
He made clear Turkish policy would not change.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as a planned act and said it would impact efforts toward a political solution in Syria.
Moscow would "seriously reconsider" its relations with Ankara, he said.
Underscoring the message, Russian forces launched a heavy bombardment against insurgent-held areas in Latakia on Wednesday, near where the jet was downed, rebels and a monitoring group said.
President Tayyip Erdogan made no apology, saying his nation had simply been defending its own security and the "rights of our brothers in Syria".
He made clear Turkish policy would not change.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as a planned act and said it would impact efforts toward a political solution in Syria.
Moscow would "seriously reconsider" its relations with Ankara, he said.