NATO Chief Urges Calm After Turkey Downs Russian Plane

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO stands “in solidarity with Turkey” after the Turkish military shot down a Russian Air Force warplane it said flew into Turkish airspace from Syria several times. Stoltenberg, speaking after a meeting requested by Turkey on Tuesday, November 24, said information NATO has received does not support Russia’s denial that it violated Turkish airspace.

He called for “calm and de-escalation” and for more contacts between Ankara and Moscow, saying the situation is serious.

Stoltenberg also stressed that operations in Syria should be focused on Islamic State, but “that most of the attacks by Russia so far has been targeted towards targets in parts of Syria where (Islamic State) is not present.” Credit: YouTube/NATO