Turkey Denies Proposing Working Group to Russia

In the statement by the ministry said, "In terms of meetings held in Ankara with Russian Federation posts, subject of establishing a working group hasn't been brought to the agenda."

As Turkey was alleged to propose to Russia to form a working group after the escalated tension upon Russian airfield violation, Russia has announced that it may practice proposals by Pentagon in order to battle ISIS

On the other hand while Russia states that it may put the proposals of the US into effect within the scope of fighting against ISIS, the US said that Turkey may join as well the Syrian-themed meetings.

Joint working group proposal

According to the news by Nerdun Hacıoğlu from Hürriyet daily, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson İgor Konaşenkov said, "Our military attache on duty in Russia's Ankara Embassy meeting with his Turkish counterparts has received a proposal to form a joint working group to prevent similar issues that may be caused by Russian policies in Syria."

Konaşenkov added that they started to evaluate the proposals by the Pentagon and experts from Russia and the US will discuss them in detail.

Toner: Turkey as well may join the meetings

On the other side, US Department of State vice spokesperson Mark Toner said Turkey may join as well the coordination meetings to be held between Russia and the US. Toner also added that Turkey might meet with Russia within the scope of "dual platform."

What had happened?

Turkey-Russia airfield tension

October 4 - Announce of violation, a day later

Turkish Foreign Affairs announced that a Russian warplane violated Turkish airfield on October 3. Two Turkish F-16s patrolling on Syrian border did interdiction maneuver to have the Russian warplane leave the airfield. After the interdiction, the warplane returned to Syria.

NATO council convened

NATO Council convened because of the violation. After the meeting, it was announced that Russia violated Turkish airfield twice; first on October 3 and the second on October 4.

Foreign Affairs steps in

Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was summoned to Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Acting Undersecretary Ambassador Ahmet Muhtar Gün expressed Turkey's "strong proters" verbally to the Russian ambassador.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioğlu phoned his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov echoed Turkey's reaction on ministerial level. Sinirlioğlu also made phone calls with the ministers of foreign affairs of the US, UK, France, and Italy.

Russia: Navigation error

Russia informed Turkish Military Attache in Moscow that the pilot of the warplane violated the airfield on October 3 entered the airfield in consequence of a navigation error.

General staff: MIG-29 whose nationality couldn't be determined

General staff announced that two of 10 Turkish F16s were harassed for 5 minutes and 40 seconds by a MIG-29 whose nationality couldn't be determined. (HK/TK)

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