Russia’s investigation will get to the bottom of what happened, why and who was responsible.
Though unknown at this point, it has the earmarks of a CIA plot to undermine growing Russian/Turkish ties, notably their cooperation in Syria, adversely affecting Washington’s regional imperial agenda.
The assassination happened in the wake of Aleppo’s liberation, a major defeat for Washington, NATO, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
It came on the eve of Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers meeting in Moscow (America, Britain and France excluded) “to discuss in trilateral format the situation in and around Syria first and foremost,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov explained.
On Tuesday, they’ll meet in Moscow “to try to reach an agreement on a lasting ceasefire, on resolution of some humanitarian issues with eye of reaching political settlement.”
“We have the basis for that and it is United Nations Security Council resolution 2254,” he added. Cessation of hostilities and conflict resolution would be a major step toward defeating Washington’s regional imperial agenda.
If Trump normalizes ties with Russia, both countries cooperating in combating terrorism, it’ll represent a major change of US foreign policy for as long as it lasts. Deep state dark forces in Washington want it prevented.
According to Tass, Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov “was assassinated on Monday in the country’s capital of Ankara by former special task police force officer Mevlut Mert Altintas,” citing Turkey’s interior minister Suleyman Soylu.
Karlov was killed during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition called “Russia through Turks’ eyes,” dedicated to normalized bilateral relations between both countries.
He died later at an Ankara hospital, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova explained.
Putin commented on his assassination, calling it “undeniably a provocation aimed at derailing the normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations and the peace process in Syria, which is actively promoted by Russia, Turkey, Iran and other countries interested in the settlement of the internal conflict in Syria.”
“There can be only one response – stepping up the fight against terrorism – which the criminals will find out firsthand.”
“Russia’s Investigative Committee has already opened a case on the murder, and has been tasked with forming a working group which will promptly leave for Ankara to take part in the investigation of this crime together with Turkish partners.”
“This was just agreed during a telephone conversation with the President of Turkey. We must find out who directed the killer’s hand.”
Separately, Turkish President Erdogan said “(w)e are determined to maintain our ties with Russia.”
Karlov’s strategically timed assassination was likely aimed at undermining Russian/Turkish relations – especially after Aleppo’s liberation and US electors confirming Trump’s triumph.
The provocative scheme seems destined to fail as decisively as the campaign to deny America’s president-elect the office he won.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
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