On 25 November 2015, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke on the phone with the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, a call initiated by Turkey.

 

Sergey Lavrov expressed indignation over Turkey's unfriendly act. He pointed out that, by shooting down a Russian plane on a counter-terrorist mission of the Russian Aerospace Force in Syria, and one that did not violate Turkey's airspace, the Turkish government has in effect sided with ISIS. Judging by the facts, Turkey's actions appear premeditated, planned, and undertaken with a specific objective. The Russian Minister reminded his counterpart about Turkey's involvement in the ISIS' illegal trade in oil, which is transported via the area where the Russian plane was shot down, and about the terrorist infrastructure, arms and munitions depots and control centres that are also located there. Sergey Lavrov specifically said that this act by Turkey will have serious consequences for Russian-Turkish relations and will not go unanswered.

 

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has expressed his condolences and regret over the death of the pilot.  At the same time, his statement was ultimately intended to justify the actions of the Turkish Air Force. The Turkish Minister also spoke about the importance of maintaining dialogue and ties with Russia.