Tensions Escalate Between Russia and Turkey Over Downed Bomber

Relations between and have been strained ever since a  over the border between Turkey and  in late November. Turkey claimed the shooting was done because the bomber was violating Turkish airspace. . In retaliation, Vladimir Putin signed a series of economic sanctions against Ankara on November 28. Now, Russia is discussing passing additional sanctions against Turkey.

The initial sanctions signed by Putin include a . This decree is set to go into effect by the new year. The planned additional sanctions are also a consequence of the Su-24 downing, as acknowledged by Putin. While Russia does not wish to fully cease relations with Turkey, the measures are intended as a strong punishment for the alleged "stab in the back". Currently, Russia is in process of . The flight recorder on the plane is damaged, inhibiting efforts to discover information about the flight. If information from the black box can be retrieved, it will be a further step in determining whether the bomber actually did violate Turkey's airspace.

In the meantime, the already-decreed economic sanctions and plans for additional ones will follow through as planned. The impact of the sanctions on Turkey will be seen come the new year.