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[shinobi602]

This was a big issue back in November where Turkey refused to apologize for shooting down that jet fighter near the Syrian-Turkish border.

MOSCOW — Turkey’s president has apologized to Moscow for the downing of a Russian military jet at the Syrian border, Russian and Turkish officials said Monday, a move that could open the way for easing a bitter strain in Russia-Turkey ties.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s move comes seven months after the incident, which has drawn a slew of Russian sanctions that have dealt a severe blow to the Turkish economy. The formal apology, which the Kremlin had requested, would likely allow relations to improve.

Erdogan, in his message, expressed “sympathy and deep condolences” to the family of the killed pilot and apologized, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Erdogan spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency, that the Turkish leader expressed his deep regret over the downing of the Russian plane: “In the letter, the president stated that he would like to inform the family of the deceased Russian pilot that I share their pain and to offer my condolences to them. May they excuse us.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...7f8b4a-3c69-11e6-9e16-4cf01a41decb_story.html

 

[The Lamonster]

This is good.

 

[GSG Flash]

Legitimately surprised by this, Erdogan doesn't seem the apologizing kind, but I guess the squeeze felt by Russian sanctions was too much to bear.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

This is good.

Putin and Erdogan's relationship improving is good?

 

[Frustrated_me]

Also relevant:

Israel and Turkey end rift over Gaza flotilla killings:

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a deal reached on Sunday would see Israel pay $20m (£15m) in compensation.

Source

 

[Volimar]

Erdogan realizing he's running out of allies.

 

[Frustrated_me]

Legitimately surprised by this, Erdogan doesn't seem the apologizing kind, but I guess the squeeze felt by Russian sanctions was too much to bear.

The hotels and resorts are literally empty.

Putin and Erdogan's relationship improving is good?

How is this not good?

 

[SliceSabre]

I see Turkey is trying to make up with' friends' recently.

First Israel, now Russia. Guess those Russian sanctions have had an effect.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

How is this not good?

I'd rather have power hungry despots unlikely to go at war against each other be at odds than otherwise.

 

[Lucumo]

I hope it was taped when he licked Putin's boot.

Anyway, that's good for Turkey.

 

[akira28]

wonder how they view the whole Brexit thing. will the EU evaporate before Turkey gets to the party?

 

[The Lamonster]

I'd rather have power hungry despots unlikely to go at war against each other be at odds than otherwise.

uhhh NATO

 

[Apathy]

The image of Erdogan having to swallow his pride and having to apologize is bittersweet knowing that this is the first step to having Russia stopping the sanctions and giving support back to that idiot.

 

[Earthstrike]

The hotels and resorts are literally empty.

How is this not good?

In the sense of geopolitics, it's bad for the west as we want turkey to be an ally of NATO and not an ally of russia.

 

[Powwa]

I'd rather have power hungry despots unlikely to go at war against each other be at odds than otherwise.

Yeah screw the people living in those countries, let them have a war.

 

[Alucrid]

maybe the armenian people will be next

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

Yeah screw the people living in those countries, let them have a war.

what is there to misunderstand with "unlikely to go to war with each other"?

 

[Gabriel_Logan]

In the sense of geopolitics, it's bad for the west as we want turkey to be an ally of NATO and not an ally of russia.

Russia and Turkey can never be true allies. Russia still covets Turkish territory. They'll never leave NATO

 

[akira28]

maybe the armenian people will be next

the Who?

 

[commedieu]

Somethings up.

 

[gutter_trash]

Somethings up.

some unholy Eastern alliance

 

[Bento]

Somethings up.

EU Negotiations? Think they're opening a new "Chapter" in their bid to join any day now.

 

[davepoobond]

the Who?

Pretty sure they're American?

 

[Earthstrike]

Russia and Turkey can never be true allies. Russia still covets Turkish territory. They'll never leave NATO

Well, I get this and agree. Only caveat I would add is that Russia covets turkish territory in the same way USA covets Canadian territory (Or at least used to when NORAD was set up). The alliance between Canada and USA gives the USA the same kind of tactical advantage as controlling it themselves.

Now, Again, I'm with you that this will likely never happen. I was just explaining why, hypothetically, this is "bad" for the west.

 

[la_briola]

wonder how they view the whole Brexit thing. will the EU evaporate before Turkey gets to the party?

Turkey will never join the EU.

 

[Mr. Giggles]

Russia be Putin erdogan back in his place.

 

[KingSnake]

I guess the tourism is hurting a lot. Erdogan should have thought about that before though.

 

[Jag]

I guess the tourism is hurting a lot. Erdogan should have thought about that before though.

Tourism plus Iran and ISIS. Turkey realizing that its better to have friends than enemies.

 

[Nuclear Pancakes]

Russia be Putin erdogan back in his place.

Some good work here.

 

[dripdripsplash]

Whats up with Erdogan being all friendly and shit all of a sudden.

With Israel and now Russia too.

Interesting.

 

[luckygodzilla]

Whats up with Erdogan being all friendly and shit all of a sudden.

With Israel and now Russia too.

Interesting.

I guess Erdogan is finally coming to grips that it is not necessarily in his best interest to continuously antagonize the outside world.

Or maybe he's just looking to warm up relations outside of Europe, considering the recent row with Germany and uncertainty facing the EU in the aftermath of brexit.