ANKARA, Turkey — In a signal of new tensions raised by Moscow’s airstrikes in Syria, NATO denounced Russia on Monday for “irresponsible behavior” after its warplanes violated Turkish airspace, and Turkey warned that any future aerial intruder would be treated like an enemy.
Turkey, a NATO member, mentioned only one Russian intrusion over the weekend, but the military alliance said a second Russian jet also violated Turkish airspace Sunday.
The intrusions, which come amid deep suspicions and mutual distrust between Moscow and the West over Russia’s military action in Syria, highlight the potential for clashes between Russian and allied forces in the increasingly crowded skies over Syria.
Russia sought to play down the incident. Defense Ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the jet accidentally entered Turkish airspace for “several seconds” Saturday while returning to its base about 20 miles south of the border with Turkey. He said the violation happened due to poor weather in the area, which forced the pilot to approach the base from the north.
Russia has taken measures “to prevent any such incidents in the future,” he added. The ministry said Russia had nothing to do with the second alleged incursion Sunday.
NATO called Russia’s actions “irresponsible behavior,” and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Washington is conferring with Turkish leaders about the airspace violation.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. was “quite concerned” by Russia’s action, describing it as a provocation.
“Given the stakes and sensitivity around the Russian military action in that region of the world, I think our concerns are well-founded,” Earnest said.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also expressed concern, telling reporters during a trip to Chile that the incident could have led to Turkey shooting down the Russian plane, and that Russia has a responsibility to act within international standards.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russian warplanes had committed “unacceptable violations of Turkish airspace.”
“Russia’s actions are not contributing to the security and stability of the region. I call on Russia to fully respect NATO airspace and to avoid escalating tensions with the alliance,” he said.
The Kremlin voiced hope that the incident wouldn’t damage its friendly ties with Ankara.
“Bilateral relations with Turkey are quite comprehensive, and they are solidly based on mutual benefits,” President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Moscow was looking into the incursion.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Russia had said the plane intruded “by mistake.”
“They said they are respectful of Turkey’s borders and that it would not happen again,” he told Haber Turk television.
But Davutoglu warned that Turkey would enforce its rules of engagement in case of intrusions, which call for treating anyone approaching its border from Syria as an enemy.
