Russian Strategy Development Centre First Vice President Trofimçuk Grigorii Pavloviç and Middle East and Caucasian Countries Research Centre Expert Researcher Tarasov Stanislav Vyaçeslavoviç spoke to ANF regarding the shooting down by Turkey of a Russian warplane on Syria border yesterday.

PAVLOVİÇ: THE RUSSIAN JET WAS DELIBERATELY DOWNED

Remarking that Turkey deliberately downed the Russian jet, Russian Strategy Development Centre First Vice President Trofimçuk Grigorii Pavloviç said; “Russia got involved in the Syrian war on 30 September 2015, but it hasn't faced any direct intervention from any country so far. As is known, Russian aircraft has been continuing airstrikes against the positions of terror organisations in Syria. The leading major powers of the world didn't make any intervention on this situation in practice. Russia has not displayed its actual power yet despite its ongoing involvement in the Syrian war. However, I am of the opinion that Russia will get a more active position in the region after the downing of a jet of its on Syrian border. In addition, it will make its presence felt more substantially and truly become a part of this war.”

Pavloviç said this incident will undoubtedly bring about some developments, adding that Russia is currently putting emphasis on a detailed review of the incident, and tension remains on the Russian side as both Turkey and NATO are yet to make a satisfactory statement.

“The conclusion we draw from the scene is that our jet was downed deliberately. This incident will definitely influence the course of the Syrian war, and the seriousness of the incident will become clear with the statements and approaches of the related sides in the upcoming period. In other words, Russia will get further involved in the war and the situation will worsen for every side engaged in this conflict. This instance will thus have a greater effect on the existing destabilization in the Middle East and world. One other dimension of the incident is the fact that Turkish officials haven't made any statements to satisfy Kremlin yet. If it goes like this, relations between Turkey and Russia might witness very critical problems."

VYAÇESLAVOVİÇ: RUSSIA WILL NOT LEAVE THIS INCIDENT UNANSWERED

Middle East and Caucasian Countries Research Centre Expert Researcher Tarasov Stanislav Vyaçeslavoviç described the shoot down of the Russian jet as a provocation on the basis of the most recent information they have received.

Vyaçeslavoviç underlined that Turkey has this time not operated the mechanism of the communication line that had been formed between the general staffs of both sides previously in order to avoid a violation of airspace.

Expert Researcher Vyaçeslavoviç told that; “Turkey knows very well for what reason Russia is in Syria now, and the fact that this situation is not against Turkey. For this reason, the Turkey side should have contacted Russian officials and made the situation clear before everything else. That is to say that this incident should have been discussed. However, Turkish officials immediately got in touch with not Russia but NATO officials instead. This situation leaves a question mark over minds and strengthens the probability of a deliberate action and provocation. It is yet early to say something certain over the course of the case, but everyone knows that Russia has a military base there and will not let this incident go unanswered. Russia is currently assessing and discussing the options for the best response to this event which will likely have a serious influence on Turkish-Russian relations. Lavrov's cancellation of his visit to Turkey is the first indication in this regard. Similarly, Erdoğan was being expected to visit Russia in the upcoming period to talk about the relations between two states. It is yet unclear what his attitude will be after this incident which actually is a critical case and needs to be assessed from all aspects.”