Russia says Turkey's downing of warplane "deliberate"

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday condemned Turkey for downing a Russian warplane and warned of consequences.

"The recklessly criminal actions of the Turkish authorities would lead to three consequences," an official statement quoted Medvedev as saying.

"First, the dangerous worsening of relations between Russia and NATO, which cannot be justified by any interests, including protection of state borders," the prime minister said.

"Second, Turkey's actions in fact demonstrated the protection of the militants of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group," Medvedev said.

He reminded that there is "available information" about "direct financial interest" of some Turkish officials having connection with enterprises held by the IS.

"Third, the long-standing good-neighborly relations between Russia and Turkey, including in the economy and humanitarian spheres have been undermined," Medvedev said.

"This damage will be difficult to repair -- its direct consequence may be the cessation of a number of important joint projects and the loss by Turkish companies of their positions on the Russian market," Medvedev said.

A Russian Su-24 warplane was shot down by Turkish air force on Tuesday as Ankara claimed the aircraft violated Turkish airspace.

Turkey said two of its F-16 fighters took action after many warnings again the Su-24 while Russia has claimed that its bomber posed no threat to Turkey and had not intruded Turkey's airspace.

Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the action as "stab in the back from accomplices of terrorists," and warned of serious consequences.
  Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
 25/11/15
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