Erdoğan: We haven’t Shot Down the Plane on Purpose

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken at a mass opening ceremony in Bayburt as to tension between Turkey and Russia.

Erdoğan warning Russia to “not play with fire” stated that he wanted to contact Russian President Putin but he didn’t respond.

CLICK - RUSSIAN WARPLANE SHOT DOWN BY TSK ON SYRIAN BORDER

Here are the headlines from Erdoğan’s speech:

“Why is Russia in Syria?”

“What has Russia been doing in Syria? Syrian regime invited them, there is an illegitimate state in Syria.

“Do you have to accept the invitation of Assad who has killed 380,000 people? You give all kinds of support. Is it legitimate to give support to such a man?”

“We see craftiness of Russia”

“Turkey didn’t shoot down Russian warplane on purpose. This is just an automatic reaction against border violation, an exercise of engagement rules.

“It is not that we don’t see the craftiness of Russia behind fortifying its military ties in Syria by using the downed plane as an excuse”.

“Putin hasn’t returned my call”

“I asked for an appointment from Putin on the day of the incident, wanted to speak on phone. They haven’t returned since then.

“Now there is Climate Change summit in Paris. I assume he will be there as well, we can sit and talk about these matters”.

"May Russia not play with fire”

“Hitting opposites, who have international legitimacy, under cover of fighting against DAİŞ (ISIS-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is playing with fire.

“Striking irresponsibly at trucks which may be there for business operations or humanitarian purposes is playing with fire.

“We very sincerely recommend to Russia to not play with fire”. (EKN/TK)

Click here to read the article in Turkish