Special to WorldTribune.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 26 said the United States had been given the precise flight path of the Su-24 that was shot down by Turkey.

“The American side, which leads the coalition that Turkey belongs to, knew about the location and time of our planes’ flights, and we were hit exactly there and at that time,” Putin said at a joint press conference at the Kremlin with French President Francois Hollande.

Meanwhile, Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued their war of words in the wake of the Russian plane being shot down, with Putin demanding an apology and Erdogan refusing.

Putin said that Turkey’s claim it would not have targeted the Su-24 if it had known it was Russian was “rubbish.”

“They [our planes] have identification signs and these are well visible,” Putin said. “Instead of […] ensuring this never happens again, we are hearing unintelligible explanations and statements that there is nothing to apologize about.”

Erdogan said he placed a call to the Russian president after the Su-24 incident on Nov. 24 but that Putin “never answered my call.”

Putin also said that Turkey is buying pilfered oil from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), an accusation that Erdogan denied on Nov. 26.

There was “no doubt” that oil from “terrorist-controlled” territory in Syria was being delivered to Turkey, Putin said.

“We see from the sky where these vehicles [carrying oil] are going,” Putin said. “They are going to Turkey day and night.

“These barrels are not only carrying oil but also the blood of our citizens because with this money terrorists buy weapons and ammunition and then organize bloody attacks.”

  Putin: Americans were given precise flight path of plane downed by Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Su-24 shot down, WorldTribune.com