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Russia: Turkey Downed Plane To 'Protect Oil'

Russia: Turkey Downed Plane To 'Protect Oil'

Russian president Vladimir Putin has accused Turkey of shooting down a Russian war plane to protect oil supplies coming into its country from Islamic State.

Speaking during a news conference on the sidelines of UN climate talks near Paris, Mr Putin said: "We have every reason to think that the decision to shoot down our plane was dictated by the desire to protect the oil supply lines to Turkish territory."

Mr Putin, who has not met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the summit, said the downing of the plane was a "huge mistake".

His words come after it was revealed that Russian jets in Syria are carrying air-to-air missiles "for self defence".

Russia's air force said Su-24 jets - of the type shot down near the Syrian border last week - have flown with an air-to-air weapons system for the first time.

Defence official Igor Klimov said the missiles were capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 37 miles (60km).

The US ambassador to NATO confirmed that his country's intelligence supports Turkey's view that the downed Russian jet violated Turkish airspace on November 24.

Turkey's Prime Minister continued to refuse to apologise for shooting down the Su-24 on Monday as the diplomatic spat between the two countries intensified.

Ahmet Davutoglu said he had NATO support on his side as he warned that such incidents would continue to be a risk as long as Russia and the US-led coalition worked separately in Syria.

Mr Davutoglu said: "Protection of our airspace, our border is not only a right but a duty for my government and no Turkish premier or president ... will apologise (for) doing our duty."

Russia, meanwhile, announced it is extending its sanctions on food from Turkey to include more agricultural products, vegetables and fruits.

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appeared to raise the pressure on Turkey by saying that Russia could expand the sanctions if needed.

Turkey claims it shot down the Russian Su-24 jet because it repeatedly ignored warnings not to encroach into its airspace.

Russia, meanwhile, maintains the jet never entered Turkish territory and was downed over Syria.

The body of the pilot who died was flown back to Russia from Turkey on Monday after the Turkish authorities took possession of it from an unknown group.

Russia's deputy prime minister said Moscow may delay the introduction of the food import restrictions for several weeks to ease inflationary pressures.

Turkey's inflation rate is 15%.

US, French and Australian warplanes are also taking part in coalition airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, and David Cameron is trying to win support for the UK joining in.