29 February 2016, 14:35 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Relations between Russia and Turkey have been strained since November 2015 when the Turkish Air Force downed a Russian Su-24 bomber over Syria, claiming it had violated Turkish airspace.
Both the Russian General Staff and the Syrian Air Defense Command have asserted that the aircraft never crossed from Syria into Turkish airspace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the downing a "stab in the back", and imposed a set of economic measures against Turkey in retaliation.
"Sharply divergent interests in Syria have created a deep tension between Turkey and Russia. The risk of miscalculation or even confrontation remains credible," Breedlove said.
