In a clear attempt to mend fences with Moscow in the wake of the unwarranted attack on the Russian plane, Cavusoglu said that Turkey had built relations with Russia in the past 15 years "brick by brick" and that the leaders of both countries significantly contributed to this improvement in relations, The Daily Sabah reported.
"Turkey never took any negative steps toward Russia. But nobody should think that we are quiet because we are guilty. Russia is an important partner for us. That is why we act patiently," Cavuşoglu added. "No one can sever ties between two peoples, neither politicians nor anyone else. We will be patient for a while, and everything will be better."
On November 24, a Russian Su-24 bomber was shot down by a Turkish F-16 while conducting operations over Syria, where Moscow has been targeting terrorist groups, including Daesh.
One of the pilots from the downed Su-24 was rescued by the Syrian Army while the other pilot was killed by fire from the ground after ejecting from the plane. A Russian Marine also lost his life after an Mi-8 chopper was downed during a rescue operation.
President Vladimir Putin called the downing of the Russian warplane an inexplicable and treacherous "stab in the back by accomplices of the terrorists."
