Turkey has challenged Russia to prove its claim that Ankara shot down a Russian plane in order to protect its oil trade with Islamic State (IS).”If you allege something you should prove it,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.He was responding to the accusation by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also said last week’s downing of the plane was a “huge mistake”.The Turkish government has refused to apologise for the incident.One Russian pilot was killed and the other rescued after Russia’s Su-24 bomber was shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter on the Syrian border on 24 November.A Russian marine was killed during the rescue operation in north-western Syria.Turkey says the jet entered its airspace – an accusation Russia denies.The US state department has said evidence from Turkish and US sources indicates the aircraft did violate Turkish airspace.Turkey has denied any ties to IS and is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the militant group.
“You should put your documents on the table if you have any. Let’s see the documents,” Mr Erdogan said.”We are acting with patience. It is not positive for the two countries which have reached a position which could be regarded as a strategic partnership to make emotional statements.”President Erdogan also vowed to step down if the allegation that Turkey was buying oil from IS proved true, suggesting that President Putin should do the same if he was wrong.
source:BBC
