Russia to Suspend All Military Contacts, Cooperation with Turkey. NATO Chief Says Military Alliance Stands by Key Ally Turkey

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• Published on Nov 24, 2015
  Russia’s Defense Ministry is suspending all military contacts and cooperation with Turkey in response to its downing of a Russian jet over Syria. Russia’s General Staff says it is taking additional measures to ensure the security of Russia’s air base in Syria. Moscow has deployed a cruiser ship equipped with a sophisticated air defense system to Syria’s western coast. Russian officials say the Turks have failed to provide any evidence proving that the Sukhoi SU-24 violated Turkish air space. According to the Defense Ministry, Russian radar systems at Hameimim airbase have recorded a violation of Syria’s airspace by a Turkish attack plane. The ministry has also confirmed the death of one Russian pilot as well as a soldier who was on a search and rescue mission for the missing pilots.

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• Published on Nov 24, 2015
  NATO’s secretary general has expressed support for key member ally Turkey after Turkish forces downed a Russian jet near the country’s border with Syria. Jens Stoltenberg also called on Ankara and Moscow to calm the situation through diplomacy and de-escalation. He made the remarks after an emergency meeting of all 28 members requested by Ankara. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said she’s spoken the NATO chief. She added that there’s a need to avoid an escalation. The European Union’s President Donald Tusk has also called for calm. The United States, another NATO member, however said Turkey has the right to defend itself.

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