Russia asks NATO not to interfere to resolve its violation of Turkish airspace

Andrei Kelin, director of European Cooperation Department in the Russian Foreign Ministry, asked NATO not to interfere or play any role in resolving the incident involving a Russian fighter jet violating Turkish airspace, claiming, “There is no concept of airspace within the alliance.”

In a press release given to Russia’s Novosti news agency, Kelin expressed his surprise at NATO’s hinting at resolving the incident of the Russian aircraft’s violation of Turkish airspace, noting: “The issue must be resolved between the two countries; between Moscow and Ankara.”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that a Russian Sukhoi-34 violated Turkish airspace on 29 January near the city of Gaziantep, which is close to the Syrian city of Aleppo. The violation lasted 25 seconds, despite the fact that the Turkish Air Force issued several warnings in English and in Russian.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on 30 January that a Russian fighter jet violated Turkish airspace despite continuous warnings by Turkish officials. He called on Russia to move about responsibly and respect the alliance’s airspace.