Turkish President seeks settlement with Russia

Days after telling Russia not to ‘play with fire’, Turkish President Recep Tayyip seems to have soft pedaled on his earlier stance as he now seeks to settle the rift between his country and Russia over a downed fighter jet near a Syrian border.
Erdogan said Saturday that his government is “really saddened” about shooting down a Russian warplane, insisting that he does not want to ramp up tensions but falling short of offering the apology Moscow has demanded.
One day after saying Turkey fired missiles as “an automatic reaction to a border breach” — and not knowing the nationality of the plane in question — Erdogan said Saturday, “We wouldn’t have wished this to happen. But, unfortunately, it did.”

The powerful Turkish leader didn’t lash out at Russia but appeared intent on taking the high road by claiming that “Turkey has never been in favor of triggering tensions and clashes, and we neve

Read also: ‘Don’t play with fire’- Turkey President warns Russia

“I hope this will not happen again,” Erdogan said at an event in Balikesir.
“As long as our sovereign rights are not violated, our struggle will continue through diplomatic channels, adhering to international laws and agreements.”
The President added, “We hope that the tensions with Russia will not grow and result in more saddening incidents.”
The incident which left one pilot dead while another was rescued has put both at odds with authorities of both countries disagreeing sharply on whether the Russian plane was in Turkish airspace when it was shot down, as well as whether any warnings went out to the crew.
The incident is now raising questions over the ability of world leaders to come together to combat ISIS, which has taken over Syria and Iraq and also claimed attacks in Europe, Asia and Africa.

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