Erdogan rejects Putin''s demand for apology

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan said on Thursday it does not owe Russia an apology for Tuesday’s downing of a Russian fighter jet. "I think if there is a side that has to apologise, then we are not it; the ones who violated our airspace are the ones who need to apologise’’, Erdogan said. He stressed […]

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan said on Thursday it does not owe Russia an apology for Tuesday’s downing of a Russian fighter jet.

"I think if there is a side that has to apologise, then we are not it; the ones who violated our airspace are the ones who need to apologise’’, Erdogan said.

He stressed that the Turkish pilots who did the shooting were only doing their duty.
Ankara claimed the plane crossed its airspace despite repeated warnings over a five minute period, while Moscow insists it was over Syrian territory at all times.
Turkey is a major backer of Syrian rebels and has previously warned against Russian violations of its airspace.