Kerry to address Turkey-Russia tensions with Putin

WASHINGTON

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will discuss the need to reduce tensions between Moscow and Ankara during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday, the White House said on Monday.

“This will be something that Secretary Kerry will discuss with President Putin when he's in Moscow tomorrow, again, the continuing need for the Russians to de-escalate their tensions with the Turks,” spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.

Relations between Russia and Turkey have been heightened since the Nov. 24 downing of a Russian jet by Turkish forces. Turkey has maintained that the aircraft violated its airspace, and was repeatedly warned before it was fired upon.

In response, Russia has implemented a number of punitive economic measures against Turkey.

“I think it's fair to say that there is work that both sides probably need to do in that regard [de-escalation], but I think it's notable that in the weeks since that occurred, we haven't seen any tangible escalation at this point,” Earnest said. “That's a glimmer of optimism in that situation.”

On Sunday, Russia said sailors aboard its Smetlivy guided-missile destroyer fired small arms as a warning to avoid a collision with a Turkish fishing vessel, some 22 kilometers (14 miles), off the coast of the Greek island of Lemnos.