Turkey on tentative to mend soured ties with Russia

Relations between Turkey and Russia can be restored, Turkey's deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus said Monday, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statement on normalization of the relations between two countries.

"We have always said that neither Russia nor Turkey can sacrifice each other. Two countries are neighbors, rivals from time to time, but always friends. They are countries hat developed relations on all fields," Kurtulmus told reporters at a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

Citing to the downing of a Russian jet on the Turkish-Syrian border by Turkey last year, which caused tension between Ankara and Moscow, Kurtulmus reiterated that Turkey was not aware of the nationality of the plane at the time.

"Turkey didn't intentionally down the jet. It was a result of the warnings. I think that prolonging the case wouldn't do Russia. We hope that it will be settled as soon as possible," he noted.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu proposed to establish a working group between Turkey and Russia.

This working group could produce ideas and discuss steps to be taken to restore relations, the minister told reporters on Monday. At the end we can find a middle way," he added.

"We did not want deterioration of our relations. Did Mr. Putin take a positive step and did we reject it?" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists on Sunday on the board of his plane.

Turkish officials' remarks came over Putin's recent statement that his country was ready to enhance relations with Turkey, if Ankara "takes the first step."

"Our plane was not only downed, but its pilot was killed. This is a war crime according to international law. We received explanations about the incident, but never heard an apology. We want to improve the relations. We weren't the ones ruining it. They have to do something," Putin said in a press meeting during his visit to Athens.

Turkish air force shot down the Russian jet on Nov. 24 claiming it has violated Turkish airspace, whereas Moscow insisted the Su-24 stayed over Syria during its flight.

Putin has demanded an apology from the Turkish leadership and a compensation for the damage. Russia has ordered economic sanctions against Turkey.