MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. On Monday, an unidentified assailant opened rapid gunfire in the Turkish capital of Ankara during the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition dedicated to bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey and called ‘Russia through Turks’ eyes.’
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Karlov, who had been invited to the opening ceremony of the exhibition, was shot during the attack and later died in a hospital of the sustained wounds, according to Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry.
TASS has collected the international reaction to the murder of the diplomat:
Condolences from EU
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on behalf of the European Union has condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.
"We are receiving condolences over the murder of the Russian ambassador to Turkey," she said.
"One of the first condolences came from Federica Mogherini, who offered on behalf of the European Union countries, condolences to the Russian side and condemned what has happened."
'Appalling terrorist attack'
The fatal attack on Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was an appalling terrorist attack, Russia’s mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on Monday.
"We resolutely condemn this appalling terrorist attack on the Russian ambassador to Turkey," the mission wrote on its Twitter account.
'There can be no justification for an attack on a diplomat'
The United Nations resolutely condemns the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov and rules out any possible justification of this act, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN secretary general, said on Monday adding that the guilty must be found and brought to justice.
"We condemn the gun attack on the Russian Ambassador to Turkey," Dujarric told journalists following the tragedy in the Turkish capital of Ankara. "There can be no justification for an attack on a diplomat, an Ambassador..."
'Despicable' murder
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has condemned a "despicable" murder of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov.
"Shocked to hear of despicable murder of Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey. My thoughts are with his family. I condemn this cowardly attack," the top diplomat wrote in his Twitter microblog.
Syria has resolutely condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, SANA news agency said on Monday, citing the Syrian foreign ministry.
This crime 'asserts need to combat terrorism'
"Syria condemns the terrorist attack which claimed the life of the Russian Ambassador in Ankara Andrei Karlov and expresses condolences to Russia, as government and people, and to the family of the victim," the ministry said, adding that this heinous crime "asserts once again the need for uniting all efforts and capabilities to combat terrorism and overcome it."
Azerbaijani president 'deeply shocked' by murder
President of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliyev has expressed condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the murder of the Russian ambassador to Turkey earlier on Monday.
"I am deeply shocked by the news about a tragic death of Russian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkey Andrey (Gennadiyevich) Karlov. We resolutely and unconditionally condemn this bloody terrorist crime," said the telegram of the Azerbaijani leader posted on his website.
The president also conveyed condolences to the family and the next-of-kin of the diplomat.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Karlov, who had been invited to the opening ceremony of the exhibition, was shot during an attack on Monday and later died in hospital of the sustained wounds.
Turkey assures all responsible will be brought to court
Turkey's Foreign Ministry has condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov, who was shot and killed on Monday night, and has given the assurances that the Turkish authorities will investigate all aspects of the crime and will bring the guilty ones to account.
"We were deeply grieved to learn about the death of Russian Ambassador Andrei Karlov in an armed attack. We condemn this hideous terrorist attack. A large-scale investigation has been launched. All those responsible for that will be brought to Turkish court," the ministry said.
The ministry pledged to spare no effort not to let "this attack cast a shadow on the Turkish-Russian friendship."
"Andrei Karlov conducted successful work in Turkey is a difficult period. He was a diplomat who was an example of a state servant. The memory about him will stay with us forever. On this hard day, we extend our most profound condolences to the Russian state and people," the ministry said.