Turkey Refuses To Pay Compensation For Downed Russian Warplane

Ankara says it will not pay any compensation to Moscow for the Russian warplane that was shot down last month near the Turkish-Syrian border by Turkey's air force.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic announced Ankara's position on the issue on December 16, just minutes after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksei Meshkov called for Turkey to pay compensation for the downed plane.

Turkey shot down the plane on November 24 after it briefly entered Turkish airspace from Syria, ignoring several warnings.

One of the two pilots aboard the plane was killed in the incident.

Russia insists the plane never left Syrian airspace and has imposed a series of economic sanctions against Turkey in retaliation.
 [Based on reporting by Daily Sabah and Hurriyet]
   rferl.org
16/12/15