Putin and Erdogan Jointly Condemn Assassination of Russian Ambassador
Updated 3pm EST:
Leaders of Russia and Turkey both publicly condemned the assassination of Andrei Karlov, Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, on Monday and said the killing would not derail efforts towards peace in Syria.
“This murder is clearly a provocation aimed at undermining the improvement and normalization of Russian-Turkish relations, as well as undermining the peace process in Syria promoted by Russia, Turkey, Iran and other countries interested in settling the conflict in Syria,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Monday evening. He added that the “only response” that Moscow “should offer” is “stepping up the fight against terrorism.”
Similarly, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said “Turkey-Russia relations were vital for the region and those who aimed to harm ties were not going to achieve their goals,” the Jerusalem Post reports.
Officials also said that the scheduled meeting in Moscow between leaders of Russia, Iran, and Turkey on the situation in Aleppo will still place Tuesday, despite the killing.
Updated 1pm EST:
Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, has been declared dead, the Russian embassy confirmed Monday, after a gunman shot the official in the back while speaking at a photography exhibition in Ankara, Turkey.
“This is a tragic day in the history of Russian diplomacy. Today, Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov died after being shot at during a public event in Ankara,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
Zakharova called the assault “an act of terrorism.”
In response, the Turkish government has reportedly issued a gag order preventing media from covering the assassination.
According to reports, the assailant “has been shot dead by Turkish security forces.”
During the attack, the shooter, who was dressed like a security officer, was overheard shouting: “We die in Aleppo, you die here.”
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