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Diplomat says NATO was likely relieved by Russia-Turkey normalization

Turkey sought political support from NATO after the Russian plane incident
A Russian warship passes the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul EPA/SEDAT SUNA
A Russian warship passes the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul
© EPA/SEDAT SUNA

MOSCOW, July 11 /TASS/. NATO gave a sigh of relief after Russia had normalized its relations with Turkey, Russia’s Permanent Representative to NATO Alexander Grushko said in an interview aired by the Rossiya 24 television news channel on Monday.

"It seems to me that many in NATO have sighed with relief because the Turkish side’s actions seriously aggravated the Russia-Turkey relations and put NATO itself in a plight," Grushko stressed.

Turkey sought political support from NATO after the Russian plane incident.

In November last year, Turkey shot down a Su-24 Russian plane, which was taking part in the anti-terrorism operation in Syria. Moscow demanded apologies from Ankara; the punishment of the guilty and compensation for the damage. Late in June, the Kremlin said Putin had received official apologies from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the downed plane.