UN and NATO call for calm over shooting of Russian fighter jet in Turkey

United Nations and NATO have called for calm in the wake of shooting down of a Russian fighter jet by Turkish aircraft that drew warnings of serious consequences from Moscow. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all relevant parties to take urgent measures to de-escalate tensions.

After an emergency meeting held in Brussels yesterday, NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said, he would further look to establish contacts between Ankara and Moscow and call for calm and de-escalation to resolve the situation. However, he said, the military alliance stands in solidarity with its key ally Turkey, and supports its territorial integrity.

font-size: 10pt;">US President Barack Obama also echoed a similar sentiments that Turkey had a right to defend its territory and its airspace. He said downing of the Russian fighter jet along the Syrian-Turkish border is evidence of an ongoing problem with Russia's military operations in Syria.

Meanwhile, Russia has rejected charges and said its aircraft was in Syrian airspace. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the downing of the jet as a stab in the back committed by accomplices of terrorists. He warned there would be serious consequences for Moscow's relations with Turkey. Turkey said two of its F16 fighters shot down a Russian Su-24 after it violated Turkish airspace 10 times within 5 minutes along the Syrian border.