NATO, Erdogan hold meetings on Russian jet crisis

A NATO official says the alliance has opened an extraordinary meeting on Turkey’s downing of a Russian fighter jet.

The official, who was not authorized to make public statements and spoke on condition of anonymity, said NATO’s decision-making North Atlantic Council is convening about a half-hour later than scheduled.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg is expected to make a statement following the meeting, which was called at Turkey’s request.

Turkey says the Russian plane violated Turkish airspace and repeatedly ignored Turkish warnings to leave. Moscow says the plane was inside Syria when it was shot down.

At the same time, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is convening a security meeting.

Erdogan is meeting with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as well as Turkey’s military and intelligence chiefs on Tuesday.

— AP