Erdogan: I Will Resign If Putin's Accusation Is Proven

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, reacted to Vladimir Putin's claim regarding the sale of oil from the Islamic State (ISIS) to Turkey, stating that if this "accusation" is proven, he will resign from his position. According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Erdogan said on Monday evening, December 9, on the sidelines of the international climate change conference in Paris: "I want to make a statement with strength here. If such a thing is proven, the honor of our country requires that I no longer remain in my position." At the same time, Barack Obama urged Turkey and Russia to focus their attention on the fight against ISIS. Erdogan described Putin's claim as "slander and defamation" and challenged him by asking, "What about you, are you willing to step aside otherwise?" On the same day, Putin reiterated his claim that Turkey buys oil from the Islamic State and stated, "It is clear to us that Turkey shot down our fighter jet to protect its oil trade with ISIS." The Islamic State has seized some oil resources in Syria and Iraq and reportedly generates significant revenue from oil sales, which, according to American sources, constitutes about half of the group's income. Erdogan responded to Putin's accusation by saying, "Let us behave with patience and endurance instead of reacting emotionally." He added, "Turkey purchases all its oil and gas through legal channels, and it is necessary for everyone to know that we are not dishonest enough to engage in such transactions with terrorist groups." Following the downing of a Russian fighter jet at the Syrian-Turkish border and escalating tensions between Moscow and Ankara, Erdogan had requested a meeting with Putin during the climate change conference in Paris, but Putin not only refused to meet with the Turkish president but also cut all military contacts between the two countries and announced sanctions against Turkey; Moscow has also demanded an official apology from Ankara. On the other hand, Barack Obama, the President of the United States, on Tuesday, met with Erdogan on the sidelines of the Paris conference, again trying to reduce tensions between Russia and Turkey. According to the French news agency, Obama emphasized that Turkey is a NATO member and an ally of the United States and has the right to defend its territorial integrity, stating, "We all have a common enemy and must focus our attention on fighting it." Obama had met with Putin on Monday, during which, according to the White House, he expressed his condolences for the death of a Russian pilot and one of the soldiers of that country. Turkey stated that the Russian Su-24 fighter jet was shot down due to violating its airspace despite repeated warnings. However, Russia denied violating Turkish airspace. During the downing of that fighter jet, a Russian pilot was killed after parachuting out inside Syria, but the co-pilot was rescued. Hours before Erdogan's remarks on Monday, Turkey had handed over the body of the deceased Russian pilot to Moscow. It is reported that this pilot was killed upon landing by gunfire from Turkmen fighters in Syria. A Russian soldier was also killed while attempting to rescue the co-pilot.