Turkey, Russia cannot discard each other, Turkish Deputy PM

ANKARA

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Turkey and Russia cannot easily discard each other as the tension between the two countries has soared since downing of the Russian jet.

"We [Turkey and Russia] are two neighboring countries, two partner countries," said Kurtulmus in a live broadcast on Turkish TGRT News channel late Wednesday.

Kurtulmus said Turkey has been striving to do its best to solve the crisis and leave dialogue doors open.

Following the downing of a Russian warplane that violated Turkey’s airspace near the Syrian border on Nov. 24, Russia announced sanctions against Turkey and President Vladimir Putin has alleged Turkish involvement in oil purchases from Daesh.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has challenged Putin and said he will step down if Russian claims that Turkey buys oil from Daesh are proved. He called on Putin to do the same if they are not.

ANKARA

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Turkey and Russia cannot easily discard each other as the tension between the two countries has soared since downing of the Russian jet.

"We [Turkey and Russia] are two neighboring countries, two partner countries," said Kurtulmus in a live broadcast on Turkish TGRT News channel late Wednesday.

Kurtulmus said Turkey has been striving to do its best to solve the crisis and leave dialogue doors open.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has challenged Putin and said he will step down if Russian claims that Turkey buys oil from Daesh are proved. He called on Putin to do the same if they are not.