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Kerry urges calm, dialogue over phone with Lavrov after Russian warplane downed by Turkey

Xinhua, November 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday urged calm and dialogue between Turkey and Russia during a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, one day after a Russian warplane was shot down by Turkey.

Kerry also "stressed the need for both sides not to allow this incident to escalate tensions between their two countries or in Syria," the State Department said in a statement.

A Russian Su-24 warplane was shot down by Turkish air forces, and one of the two pilots was killed by ground fire in Syria when parachuting to the ground.

Over the phone, Kerry offered his condolences for the loss of life in the deadly incident.

Turkey said two of its F-16 fighters took action because the Russian fighter jet ignored its multiply warnings of violating Turkish airspace.

However, Moscow said the plane was shot down over Syria and its bomber posed no threat to Turkey.The surviving pilot of the downed plane said on Wednesday that no visual or video warning was received from the Turkish side.

Russia said on Wednesday it had no plan to go to war with Turkey over the incident, but tensions are still palpable.

To ensure the safety of Russian pilots and aircraft in Syria, the Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday the deployment of new-generation S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system in Syria. Meanwhile, Moskva guard missile cruiser was ready in new combat duty position near Syria's Latakia port "to destroy any air target of potential danger to Russian aircraft." Endit