Vladimir Putin: Turkey acted against its own interests by downing Russian plane

Vladimir Putin said Turkey acted contrary to its own interests by downing a Russian war plane, adding that he sees no possibility of overcoming the diplomatic strain under the current Turkish leadership.

Speaking with emphasis and gesturing energetically throughout a marathon news conference that lasted more than three hours and was televised live, the Russian president said Turkey tried to “lick the Americans in some of their private parts” by downing the plane.