Erdogan apologises for the downing of Russian jet

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially apologised to the Kremlin over the downing the Russian jet last year, AlKhaleejonoline.com reported on Monday.

In a statement issued by Erdoğan’s office, he expressed his regret to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that Turkey “never had the desire or deliberate intention of shooting down” the Russian plane.

Erdoğan said that his country is ready to do everything possible to restore friendly ties.

“I once again express my sympathy and profound condolences to the family of the Russian pilot, who was killed, and I apologise to them,” Erdoğan wrote to Putin, according to a Kremlin statement.

He also called on Putin to work with Turkey in fighting terror and stabilising the region.

The Turkish apology to Russia came only one day after it announced an agreement to restore diplomatic ties with Israel, ending about six years of animosity.