Russia ready to talk with Turkey about airspace violation

ANKARA

Russia’s deputy defense minister said on Tuesday that Russia was prepared to talk to Turkish officials to prevent potential “misunderstandings” regarding its airstrikes in Syria.

The statement comes after a Russian fighter jet was intercepted by Turkish warplanes after violating Turkey’s airspace on Saturday.

In a statement, Anatoliy Antonov said, “Russia’s defense ministry is ready to form a working group with any state regarding this issue. We will be pleased to host Turkish Defense Ministry officials in Moscow to prevent the misunderstandings about Syria.”

Moscow has indicated Monday that the Russian fighter jet that violated Turkish airspace did so because of "bad weather conditions".

However NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that Russia’s incursion of Turkish airspace did "not look like an accident”.