'Russia cannot cover up airspace breach'

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that Russia could never cover up a violation of Turkey’s airspace as the latest intrusion was detected on both Turkish and NATO radar.

Speaking at a news conference at Saudi Arabia's Royal Palace on Sunday during a visit to Riyadh, Davutoglu said:

"Since no country in the world is isolated, it is impossible to hide a violation of airspace that actually occurred or make one that never happened, look like it actually did.

“So Russia cannot [cover up] the violations it committed on any grounds."

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that a Russian fighter jet -- a SU-34 fighter-bomber -- violated Turkish airspace on Friday at midday despite repeated warnings by Turkish air radar units in Russian and English.

The Turkish Air Force declared an 'orange alert' in key bases around the country, military sources said on Saturday.

Davutoglu stated that the incident was a very short violation by the Russian jet.

"Turkey never intends to escalate the existing tension with Russia in any way, but it will always display the necessary sensitivity to protect its airspace," he said.

The Turkish premier also reiterated a warning against Moscow, saying its "threatening attitude against Turkish airspace along with the damage it caused to the Syrian opposition elements [on the ground] and the moderate opposition are not to their interest."

Davutoglu noted that Ankara and Riyadh will continue their support for Syria's moderate opposition, as peace talks take place in Geneva.

The anti-Bashar-al-Assad opposition delegation’s High Negotiations Committee met with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura earlier on Sunday.

Davutoglu said he had talked on the phone with the head of the opposition delegation, Riyadh Hijab, and expressed his support.

"Turkey will always stand beside the Syrian people, the moderate opposition but against Daesh, the regime and foreign forces and state elements that steer towards invasion in Syria," he added.

Anadolu Agency