As tensions continue to escalate between Ankara and Moscow following Turkey's recent downing of a Russian aircraft for violating its airspace, it has been reported that Russia is insistent on its unwillingness to cooperate in normalization talks with Turkey and has urged the Turkish government to apologize for what happened. Regardless of Russia's unwillingness, according to the information provided by high-level diplomatic sources, it has been further stressed that Turkey has urged for alternative mechanisms during diplomatic talks to de-escalate tensions.
Prior to the recent incident in early October, Russian warplanes breached Turkish airspace after which Russian officials apologized and pledged that no such incident would be repeated. However, despite intruding aircraft receiving warnings about the violation 10 times within five minutes from the Turkish Air Forces the Russian aircraft continued to intrude and resulted in it being shot down. Sources have reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated during his meeting with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu that Ankara must apologize publicly, as Lavrov said that the Su-24 fighter jet was not posing a danger to Turkey.
In addition to the meeting between Lavrov and Çavuşoğlu, it has been indicated that behind the scenes of diplomatic talks Russia has been introducing different and new conditions for normalization every day. In addition to Russia's uncooperative attitude toward Turkey, sources further said that Russia aims to impose its political expectations on Turkey by applying further sanctions. As a response to Russia, Turkish officials continue to reiterate that the fighter jet had violated Turkey's airspace despite warnings, asserting that there is no need to apologize.
