Turkey apologises for downing Russian jet, hopes to improve relations

Media sourced reported in June 2016 that Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had expressed his 'regret and sorrow' to Russia's counterpart Vladimir Putin in a letter addressing the downing of a Russian jet and the killing of two Russian pilots in 2015.

The message also expressed the desire to restore bilateral ties, according to both presidencies' offices.

The incident took place in November 2015 near the Turkish-Syrian border and resulted in a deterioration of the relations between the two countries. Russia decided to suspend plans for a gas pipeline project and applied sanctions. Turkey announced in April 2016 it had detained the alledged killer of one of the Russian pilots.

• Primary Source

Politico, 27.06.16: Erdoğan apologizes over downing of Russian jet http://www.politico.eu/article/recep-tayyip-erdogan-apologizes-to-vladimir-putin-for-shooting-down-russian-jet/

Hürriyet Daily News, 27.06.16: Turkey, Russia take step to mend ties, FM to go to Russia http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-russia-take-step-to-mend-ties-fm-to-go-to-russia-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100969

The New York Times, 27.06.16: Seeking to Improve Ties With Russia, Turkey Apologizes for Downing Warplane http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/world/europe/russia-turkey-erdogan-putin.html

The Guardian, 27.06.16: Erdoğan has apologised for downing of Russian jet, Kremlin says https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/27/kremlin-says-erdogan-apologises-russian-jet-turkish

The Wall Street Journal, 27.06.16: Turkey Expresses Regret Over Downing of Russian Plane http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-president-apologizes-over-downing-of-russian-plane-kremlin-says-1467036535

RT, 27.06.16: Erdogan apologizes to Putin over death of Russian pilot, calls Russia ‘friend & strategic partner’ https://www.rt.com/news/348562-putin-erdogan-turkey-pilot/

Sputnik International, 27.06.16: Turkish Defense Minister Predicts Improvement in Turkey-Russia Relations http://sptnkne.ws/b8PQ

TRT World, 27.06.16: Turkey & Russia move to mend fractured ties http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-russia-move-to-mend-fractured-ties-133153

Sputnik International, 27.06.16: Turkish President Hopes for Soonest Rapprochement With Russia http://sptnkne.ws/b8EU

The Moscow Times, 27.06.16: Turkish President Apologizes For Downing Russian Bomber http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/turkish-president-apologizes-for-downing-russian-bomber/573600.html

Hürriyet Daily News, 28.06.16: Erdoğan, Putin to talk on phone, says Turkish PM http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-putin-to-talk-on-phone-says-turkish-pm.aspx?pageID=238&nid=100991

Hürriyet Daily News, 29.06.16: Turkey, Russia agree to revive ties, fight terror http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-russia-agree-to-revive-ties-fight-terror.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101049&NewsCatID=510

ESO: Background Information: The amazing speed of Turkey’s foreign policy U-turn http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-amazing-speed-of-turkeys-foreign-policy-u-turn/

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