Erdogan 'makes DESPERATE call to Putin' after Russian ambassador's assassination

Turkish president Mr Erdogan rang Mr Putin in the wake of tonight's shocking attack in Ankara, according to news website Sputink.

Diplomat Andrei Karlov was gunned down by off-duty police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, while he gave a speech at an art gallery.The assassination has sparked a furious response from Moscow, which believes it was a terrorist attack.
 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "Terrorism will not win and we will fight against it decisively.

"The memory of an outstanding Russian diplomat, Andrei Karlov, a person who did a great deal to fight terrorism in his diplomatic post, will always be in our hearts."

In a video message broadcast on Turkish TV tonight, Mr Erdogan confirmed he had spoken to the Russian president.

The pair agreed the assassination of Karlov was an act of provocation by those looking to harm relations their countries, he said.

Relations between Turkey and Russia relations are vital for the region, the Turkish president, who survived a coup this summer, added.

And Turkey's Foreign Ministry said it would not allow the "lowly terrorist attack" to "cast a shadow" over relations between the two countries.