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Turkey Refuses To Apologise For Downing Jet

Turkey Refuses To Apologise For Downing Jet

Turkey has refused to apologise for shooting down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border, say reports.

Instead, President Tayyip Erdogan said Moscow should apologise for violating his country's airspace.

"Our pilots and our armed forces, they simply fulfilled their duties, which consisted of responding to ... violations of the rules of engagement. I think this is the essence," CNN quoted him as saying.

Turkey would "respond the same way" if the incident happened again, he added.

:: Downed Jet Crew Got 'No Warning From Turkey'

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was still waiting for an apology or offer of reimbursement from Ankara.

He also said Turkey had not given assurances that "the culprits of the crime" will be punished.

"It seems that the Turkish leadership is deliberately driving relations (between Russia and Turkey) into a dead end," Mr Putin said.

The incident has sparked a war of words between the two countries, with each accusing the other of being in the wrong.

:: Putin: Downing Of Jet A 'Stab In The Back'

Turkey claims the Sukhoi Su-24 was warned numerous times before being shot down by two of its F16 jets for violating Turkish airspace.

On Thursday, Mr Erdogan denied accusations from Russia that Turkey was collaborating with Islamic State (IS), which has seized territory in Syria and Iraq.

He accused Moscow of using its airstrikes against IS as a pretext to target opposition groups in order to strengthen Syrian President Bashar al Assad, who remains in power despite almost five years of civil war.

Turkey has also released audio recordings of what it says are the warnings given to the Russian pilot before the jet was shot down.

A voice is heard saying in broken English: "This is Turkish Air Force speaking on guard. You are approaching Turkish airspace. Change your heading south immediately."

But Moscow says the plane was over Syria when it was downed and never entered Turkey's airspace.

A US official told Reuters earlier this week that the jet's heat signature showed it was hit over Syria after briefly entering Turkish airspace.

Both of the pilots ejected from the jet.

One was shot dead as he parachuted to the ground, while the other was eventually rescued by Syrian and Russian special forces after landing in rebel-held territory.

The rescued navigator has claimed they received no warnings before being shot down.