Paris, Nov 1 () - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would resign if allegations by Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming Turkey has been trading oil with the Islamic State (IS) were proven, on Nov. 30, on the sidelines of the UN climate talks near Paris also hosting Putin.
"And I ask Mr Putin 'would you stay in that office?' I say this clearly" Erdoğan added.
Putin has accused Turkey of shooting down the Russian Su-24 jet last week for protecting supplies of oil from IS to Turkey and Ankara has strictly denied the allegations.
"We have every reason to think that the decision to shoot down our plane was dictated by the desire to protect the oil supply lines to Turkish territory, right to the ports where it is loaded onto tankers" Putin repeated during a news conference during the summit.
Erdoğan disclaimed Putin’s statement and stressed Turkey obtained its oil and gas imports "through legal paths".
"We are not dishonest so as to do this kind of exchange with terrorist groups. Everyone needs to know this" Erdoğan indicated.
"Let's act patiently and not emotionally" Erdoğan told reporters when asked whether Turkey would hit back Russia with its own measures.
(Photo)