BY BEN KERRIGAN
The shooting down of a Russian plane by Turkey has caused outrage from the Russian government. Russian planes were apparently trying to bomb ISIS targets but Turkey insists that the Russian aircraft strayed into its territory for 17 seconds and ignored 21 warning messages in five minutes at they approached- an act Turkey ostensibly deemed to be invasive and intrusive. The foreign ministers of Turkey and Russia have agreed to meet for talks over the downing of that warplane in what Russia has described as ”planned provocation”. Yet, Russia have fallen short of explaining why it strayed into Turkey’s territory – a sovereign nation with territorial autonomy
Thankfully, Russia has ruled out military retaliation – a response that could have plunged the international community into deeper crisis whilst dealing with the threat posed by Islamic militants. The incident that has split opinion threatens to ruin relations between the two countries, though the huge volume of bi-lateral trade between the countries will provide one reason for them to exhaust all diplomatic avenues to prevent a complete breakdown of relations between the two countries. Turkey has been at pains to stress that their target was not a country but rather the defense of its territory.
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Meanwhile, Daily Sabah- a pro-ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) newspaper in Turkey , has condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Crimea, accusing Putin’s administration of having a “total disregard of the international system” It goes further to add that Russia’s “repeated violations of the air spaces of NATO member countries is tantamount to a similar international threat level to that of Daesh in the eyes of the west, and Puts it on the same level as the threat posed by Islamic militant groups
RAGING
Amid the raging storm threatening relations between the two countries, Russia has vowed this morning that it will continue to launch airstrikes along the Turkish border. “We would like for the terrorists and militants to keep further away from the Turkish border, but unfortunately they tend to be situated on the Syrian territory close to the Turkish border,” Dmitry Peskov – a spokesman for the Russian government told reporters. Russia’s operations will continue without doubt”.
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The Russian insistence to continue is provocative and heading for an explosion in international relations. Putin has been known to act with impunity and this attitude especially from a national leader, is reprehensible.
Russia’s attack on the extremist militants may be in accord with the international community, but Turkey reserves the right to autonomy over their own territory. Russia cannot treat a sovereign nation as though they are insignificant. Besides Turkey might not trust Russia and may be apprehensive of potential knock on effects if ISIS feel Turkey are given them permission to bomb. Russia’s continued willful behavior is capable of leading the international community to a world war.
However, the international community have been screaming against Russia because of its obstinate activities in supporting the Syrian government against its own people. Syria have been fighting with its own people who want independence and democracy, and also have a war with ISIS. Russia’s support for Assad’s regime would not have helped relations with Turkey. More crucial is Turkey’s right to territorial integrity- Russia should not continue to violate other countries territorial autonomy.
America and the UK have justifiably refused to condemn the attack of the warplane because they believe Turkey had the right to defend its territory. America and the UK are right. Russia appear to be underestimating Turkey and looking down on them to behave the way they did. The world must sigh and hope some resolution occurs to save the matter from escalating beyond repair.
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