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Russian lawmaker: NATO support for Ankara over Su-24 incident suggests joint provocation

Russian ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said earlier in the day that NATO had provided "political coverage" for Ankara in the military jet's downing and the alliance shared responsibility for it

Head of the State Duma lower house Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Irina Yarovaya Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

Head of the State Duma lower house Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Irina Yarovaya

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

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MOSCOW, December 1. /TASS/. NATO support for Turkey over the downing of Russia's warplane over Syria suggests a joint provocation, chair of the State Duma lower house Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Irina Yarovaya told reporters on Tuesday.

"The practice of double standards used by NATO does not surprise anyone today," Yarovaya said. "But as for alliance support of Ankara over the downed Su-24, does this mean that NATO approves of Turkey’s action or did they prepare this provocation together?" she asked. "This is not just a rhetorical question."

Another pending issue was "whether it was an act of connivance with terrorism or a plot to 'drown' Turkey in oil flow from ISIS", [former name of the Islamic State terrorist group, outlawed in Russia].

"However, in the situation with our warplane, the choice of target was the worst miscalculation. Russia does not trade its national interests and the security of its citizens for anything," she said. "Both those who deliver a blow, who do business with terrorists and those who cover up international criminals must realise this," Yarovaya said.

"The Russian president’s decision on additional security measures is well-balanced and absolutely necessary, and is supported by our citizens," she added. "Consolidation of our society means we support the actions of the Russian armed forces to combat terrorism."

Russian ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said earlier in the day that NATO had provided "political coverage" for Ankara in the military jet's downing and so the alliance shared responsibility for it.

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