Putin Calls Ambassador's Killing A 'Provocation'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the killing of his ambassador in Turkey was a "provocation" aimed at spoiling Russia-Turkey relations, and derailing the Syria peace process. Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot in the back and killed as he gave a speech at an Ankara art gallery on December 19. Turkish authorities said the attacker was an off-duty police officer who shouted "Don't forget Aleppo" and "Allahu Akbar" as he opened fire. Putin spoke about the incident during a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Kremlin. (Reuters)