Ankara/Washington/Moscow/Riyadh/New Delhi: World leaders led by United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday condemned in one voice the brutal assaissination of Russian envoy to Turkey Andrey Karlov in Ankara.
World leaders Ban Ki-moon, Russian President Viladmir Putin, Trukish President Erdogan, Saudi King Salman issued statement condemning the incident with Russia and Turky both beleiving that it was a design to derail the ties between the two countries.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov has died after being shot multiple times at an art exhibition in Turkey's capital Ankara on Monday evening. The announcement came from Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Karlov was delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of an art gallery when an armed assailant opened fire on him and then in the air, according to Anadolu Agency correspondent who witnessed the incident.
The envoy had been seriously wounded at the scene and had been taken to Guven Hospital in Cankaya immediately after being shot.
The attack comes a day before Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu heads to Moscow for talks on Syria with his Russian and Iranian counterparts.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination of Karlov, describing the incident as a "provocation" aimed at ruining Turkey-Russia ties.
"Turkey-Russia relations were vital for the region and those who aim to harm ties are not going to achieve their goals," Erdogan said in a televised message on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Turkish President said he had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who offered to send security officers to Turkey for the investigation.
The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is expected in Moscow on Tuesday for talks on Syria with his Russian and Iranian counterparts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also said the killing of the Russian Ambassador to Ankara was designed to spoil the Russia-Turkey ties.
Putin said Andrey Karlov's killing in the Turkish capital was also intended to derail Moscow's attempts to find, with Iran and Turkey, a solution for the Syria crisis, the Independent reported on Monday.
He said Russian investigators have opened a criminal case into the killing.
In televised comments, Putin, speaking at a special meeting in the Kremlin, ordered security at Russian embassies around the world to be stepped up and said he wanted to know who had "directed" the gunman's hand.
Putin heaped praise on the murdered Russian ambassador, who was shot at as he gave a speech at an Ankara art gallery, and made clear that Moscow's response to his assassination would be robust.
"A crime has been committed and it was without doubt a provocation aimed at spoiling the normalisation of Russo-Turkish relations and spoiling the Syrian peace process which is being actively pushed by Russia, Turkey, Iran and others," said a stern-faced Putin.
In a statement issued earlier today, the US National Security Council condemned the assassination and pledged solidarity with Russia and Turkey in the time of crisis.
"This heinous attack on a member of the diplomatic corps is unacceptable, and we stand united with Russia and Turkey in our determination to confront terrorism in all of its forms," said US National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price in a statement.
Strongly condemning the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov in Ankara, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council emphasized that there is no justification for targeting diplomatic personnel and civilians.
"The Secretary-General is appalled by this senseless act of terror," according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson, which added that he also expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Ambassador Karlov and to the Government and people of the Russia.
The statement said that Ban is "following the unfolding situation closely" and wished the other people who were reportedly injured in the attack a speedy and full recovery.
In a statement issued after the incident the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed the kingdom’s strong condemnation of the killing of Russia's ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov.
The source added that this action is contrary to the international laws, the principles of protection of diplomats and international envoys and humanitarian principles and ethics.
The source concluded his statement offering condolences to the family of the deceased and the Russian Federation's government and people.
India also condemned the assassination of Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, saying it was shocked by the dastardly act and that there can never be any justification for terrorism
"India strongly condemns the tragic assassination of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkey. We are deeply saddened and shocked by this dastardly act," the External Affairs Ministry said.
"We offer our condolences to the family of Ambassador Andrey Karlov and share their pain and grief. There can never be any justification for violence and terrorism," the MEA said in a statement.
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