The Russian president Vladimir Putin called the Turkish downing of a Russian jet fighter a stab in the back and accused Turkey of complicity with Islamic State group.

Shortly after reports that Turkey gunned down a Russian jet fighter, President Vladimir Putin warned Ankara the incident he described as a “backstabbing action” will have serious consequences. He also accused Turkey of protecting the Islamic State group.

“Turkey has backstabbed Russia by downing the Russian warplane and acted as accomplices of the terrorists,” Putin said, according to RT. “Apparently, (the Islamic State group) now not only receives revenue from the smuggling of oil, but also has the protection of a nation’s military.”

According to teleSUR, Russian President Vladimir Putin went on to say that Turkey’s protection of Islamic State group and their complicity with the extremists may explain why, “the terrorist group is so bold in taking acts of terrorism across the world.”

The Russian president conclusively denied the Su-24 violated Turkish airspace.

He also expressed concern that Turkey called NATO first instead of notifying Moscow of the incident.

“The fact that Turkey did not try to contact Russia in the wake of the incident and rushed to call a NATO meeting instead is worrisome,”, he said, continuing that Turkey wants NATO to “serve the interests” of the Islamic State group.

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