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The shooting down of a Russian warplane on the Turkey-Syria border caused waves of concern across the world Tuesday. European Council President Donald Tusk said the incident was a “dangerous moment” in a post on Twitter and called for all sides to “remain cool-headed and calm”.
Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief, also tweeted that she had spoken to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and said “avoiding escalation” was necessary.
Britain described the incident, in which Turkish F-16s brought down a Russian fighter-bomber after it crossed into Turkish airspace, as a “very serious incident”.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are seeking further details urgently. Clearly this is a very serious incident but it would be unwise to comment further until we have more certainty on the facts.”
Addressing a news conference at the UN in Geneva, spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said the episode “might complicate” the regional situation.
Pentagon: Russian pilot did not respond Turkish warnings
The pilots of a downed Russian aircraft did not respond to Turkish military warnings, a spokesman for the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition said Tuesday.
Col. Steve Warren said coalition headquarters heard the incident on radar and confirmed Turkey’s military claim regarding the lack of response from the Russian pilots. The pilots were warned 10 times in 5 minutes, according to the Turkish Armed Forces.
Warren described the downing of the aircraft as “an incident between the Russian and the Turkish governments” and not one involving the coalition.
International norms prohibits an alien aircraft from flying over another state’s airspace, he said.
“International norms are clear and well known by all players so there is no reason for an aircraft to fly over an area it shouldn’t,” Warren said.
‘Keep channels open’
German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier called on Russia and Turkey to keep channels open and avoid further tension.
“Now many things will depend on what the next reactions in Moscow and Ankara will look like,” he told reporters at a foreign ministers conference in Berlin. “First of all, I hope that both capitals will engage in direct talks. Secondly, I hope that authorities in Ankara and Moscow will be aware of their responsibilities, in terms of possible reactions and counter-reactions.”
Steinmeier called for “prudence and wisdom” to prevail so a political solution to the Syrian civil war was not jeopardized.
Turkey informs UN over downed Russian warplane
Turkey has submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon explaining the downing of a Russian jet early Tuesday after it violated Turkish airspace.
The letter that was also sent to the Security Council and obtained by Anadolu Agency, said two SU-24 warplanes approached Turkish airspace in the Yayladagi region before Turkish authorities warned the planes via “emergency” channel and asked them to immediately change their headings.
Ten warnings were used during a 5-minute period.
“Disregarding these warnings, both planes, at an altitude of 19,000 feet, violated Turkish national airspace to a depth of 1.36 miles and 1.15 miles in length for 17 seconds,” read the letter, adding that one of the planes left Turkish airspace after the violation.
The other plane “was fired at while in Turkish national airspace by Turkish F-16s performing air combat patrolling in that area in accordance with the rules of engagement ” and “crashed onto the Syrian side of the Turkish-Syrian border”.
“Our rules of engagement are well known and reiterated to all parties on numerous occasions. Turkey will not hesitate to exercise its rights emanating from international law to protect the security of its citizens and borders in compliance with the established rules and regulations,” it added.
Russian warplanes previously violated Turkish airspace twice in October. The incidents occurred within a few days of the start of Russia’s air campaign in Syria on Sept. 30 and led to international condemnation.