Russian Ambassador in Nicosia Stanislav Osadchiy has said that the downing of a Russian fighter jet on Tuesday by Turkey was planned and expressed his country`s concern over Turkey`s role as regards the Islamic State.
In statements after having been received by House of Representatives President Yiannakis Omirou, Osadchiy said “this worries us greatly because it reinforces our suspicions that the Turkish government plays a double role because it supplies the Islamic State with money it gets from cheap oil it receives by Syrian Islamists.”
He added that a Turkish paramilitary organisation known as Grey Wolves is responsible for the death of one of the jet`s pilots, which was downed on Syrian territory, adding that this means that Turkish nationalists are operationally active on Syrian territory which is dangerous.
All the above, he said, “have persuaded us that we need to take counter-measures, including defensive measures such as deploying S400 defence missiles in Syria and economic measures.”
On his part Omirou expressed “full support and solidarity after Turkey’s unprovoked attack against a Russian fighter jet, which was on a mission against the Islamic State and jihadists within Syria`s airspace.”
Judging by Turkey`s behaviour it is evident that it supports the Islamic State, he said, adding that the reality which everyone can see is that the Islamic State constitutes a threat to humanity.