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Lest You Forget: Lavrov Reminds Turkey of Its Involvement in ISIL Oil Trade

© Sputnik / Maksim Blinov / Go to the mediabankRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Sudanese Vice President Hassabu Abdalrahman
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Sudanese Vice President Hassabu Abdalrahman - Sputnik International
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Turkey’s decision to shoot down a Russian bomber involved in an anti-terror mission against the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group means that Ankara has effectively sided with IS.

Heading off any denial of this fact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Turkey’s role in the terrorist group’s illegal oil trade.

Discussing the downing of the Russian Su-24 bomber on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had harsh words for his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Supporters of the AK Party wave Turkish and party flags as they listen to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during an election rally for Turkey's June 7 parliamentary election in Istanbul, Turkey - Sputnik International
Turkish Prime Minister: I Gave Order to Shoot Down Russia's Plane Myself

According to a press release from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lavrov 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."

"…Turkey’s actions appear premeditated, planned, and undertaken with a specific objective."

Lavrov also pointed to Turkey’s role in the propping up the terror network through the oil trade.

"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 centers that are also located there," the statement read.

"Sergei Lavrov specifically said that this act by Turkey will have serious consequences for Russian-Turkish relations and will not go unanswered."

Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jet takes off from Hmeymim Air Base in the Latakia province, Syria. - Sputnik International
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Russian Jet Downing Shows Turkish Anti-Terror Stance ‘Two-Sided’

Retired French General Dominique Trinquand made similar statements when speaking to Sputnik earlier on Wednesday.

"[Turkey is either not fighting ISIL at all or very little, and does not interfere with different types of smuggling that takes place on its border, be it oil, phosphate, cotton or people," he said.

Turkey downed a Russian Su-24 bomber Tuesday, claiming that the aircraft violated Turkish airspace. The Russian Defense Ministry has released flight path data proving that Russian remained aircraft never left Syrian airspace.

The incident left one of the pilots dead, shot by militants on the ground after ejecting. The other, Captain Konstantin Murahtin, was rescued.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described the incident as a "stab in the back by accomplices of terrorists."

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