Pentagon: No US involvement with downed Russian plane in Turkey

The U.S. had nothing to do with Turkey’s downing of a Russian SU-24 bomber after the jet allegedly violated Turkish airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.

Cook also underlined U.S. and NATO support of Turkey’s right to defend its airspace.
 
The incident has led to conflicting narratives over what took place, with Turkey insisting it sent repeated radio warnings to the aircraft to leave the nation’s airspace before Turkish F-16s shot it down. Russia, however, said the jet received little to no warning and may not have even been in Turkish airspace. The Kremlin is condemning the attack as Western provocation.

Cook said the incident is under investigation and will be examined thoroughly.

“U.S. officials have been in touch with their Turkish counterparts about the incident, and continue to gather more information,” Cook said,

NATO also has taken up the investigation and is calling on all parties to de-escalate the situation. The group called a meeting of member nations to discuss the matter. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia, NATO member Turkey and other NATO nations to handle the issue through diplomatic means.

“We are calling for calm and de-escalation,” Stoltenberg said. “This is a serious situation. This is a situation which calls on that we all are prudent.”