New Delhi:
A Turkish policeman shouting “Aleppo” and “revenge” shot dead Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at an art exhibition in Ankaraon on Monday, in what Moscow said was a “terrorist act”.
The shooting took place at the Cagdas Sanatlar Merkezi in the Cankaya district of Ankara where most foreign embassies are located including Russia’s mission.
The incident came after days of protests in Turkey over Russia’s role in Syria, although Moscow and Ankara are now working closely together to evacuate citizens from the battered city of Aleppo.Ambassador Andrei Karlov died of his wounds after the shooting, which occurred on the eve of a key meeting between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers on the Syria conflict.
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Here is how the world leaders reacted:
# President Vladimir Putin- The killing a "provocation" aimed at sabotaging warming ties between Moscow and Ankara and efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria.
"The crime that was committed is, without the doubt, a provocation aimed at disrupting the normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations and disrupting the peace process in Syria," Putin said in televised comments.
# Donald Trump: US President-elect has condemned the assassination of Russia's ambassador to Turkey, calling the gunman a "radical Islamic terrorist."
"Today we offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, who was assassinated by a radical Islamic terrorist," Trump said in a statement.
"The murder of an ambassador is a violation of all rules of civilised order and must be universally condemned."
# Ban Ki-moon- UN Secretary-General has condemned the murder of the Russian ambassador in Turkey, saying he was "appalled by this senseless act of terror."
# John Kirby- The US spokesman said "We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," StateDepartment spokesman John Kirby said.
