Erdogan Apologizes to Putin over Russian Pilot’s Death: Russia Friend, Strategic Partner

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Erdogan Apologizes to Putin over Russian Pilot’s Death: Russia Friend, Strategic Partner

June 28th, 2016

Awake Goy

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a letter in which his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the death of the pilot who was killed when a Russian jet was downed over the Syrian-Turkish border last November, the Kremlin said.

Erdogan expressed readiness to restore relations with Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

The incident involving the downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber led to the worst deterioration
of Turkish-Russian relations in recent history, with Russia describing it as a “stab in the back.”

“The head of the Turkish state expressed his deep sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the deceased Russian pilot and said ‘sorry,’” Peskov said.

In his letter, Erdogan called Russia “a friend and a strategic partner” of Ankara, with whom the Turkish authorities would not want to spoil relations.

“We never had a desire or a deliberate intention to down an aircraft belonging to Russia,” the letter read, according to a statement published on the Kremlin website.

According to the statement, Erdogan’s letter stressed that “the Turkish side undertook all the risks and made a great effort to recover the body of the Russian pilot from the Syrian opposition, bringing it to Turkey. The organization of the pre-burial procedures was conducted in accordance with all religious and military procedures.”

Ankara has treated the family of the dead Russian pilot as if it were a Turkish family and is “ready for any initiatives to relieve the pain and severity of the damage done,” the letter said.

The address by the Turkish leader also informed that a criminal investigation has been launched against the person suspected of killing the Russian pilot, the Kremlin said.

Turkish PM Binali Yildirim said that Ankara was ready to pay compensation for downing the Russian jet.

“The letter’s content is very clear. We stated our regrets and if necessary we will pay compensation for this issue,” he said, answering questions on Turkish public broadcaster TRT. He added that reconciliation between Russia and Turkey would not be possible without both sides striving for it.

“Both sides wanted [normalization of the relations]. I think things are improving,” Yildirim said, as cited by internetHaber.

Turkish Hurriyet newspaper reported that sources close to Erdogan have confirmed that the letter with the apology was sent to Moscow.

“I believe we will normalize our relations with Russia rapidly by ending the existing situation which is not in the interest of both sides,” Erdogan said later on Monday at a dinner to break the fast for the holy month of Ramadan.

On November 24, 2015, a Russian Su-24 bomber, taking part in an anti-terrorist mission in Syria, was brought down by the Turkish Air Force.

Russia reacted strongly to the incident, imposing a wave of sanctions against Turkey, which affected trade, tourism, joint energy projects and other areas.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

28-06-2016 | 09:23

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