Moscow announces Turkey sanctions

Russia has announced a package of retaliatory economic sanctions against Turkey over the shooting down of a Russian jet on the Syrian border on Tuesday.

A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin covers imports from Turkey, the work of Turkish companies in Russia and any Turkish nationals working for Russian companies.

The sanctions are "aimed at ensuring national security and that of Russian citizens" and included the ban of charter flights between the countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to apologise to Russia.

On Friday, he accused Moscow of "playing with fire" in its Syria operations. But on Saturday, he said he was "saddened" by the downing of the jet.

Erdogan said he wished the incident had not happened but continued to defend Turkey's actions. "We wish it hadn't happened, but it happened. I hope something like this doesn't happen again," Erdogan said.

The Turkish president said both sides must approach the issue in a more positive way.

Erdogan nevertheless has said he wants a direct meeting with Putin when the two leaders are in Paris next week for the UN climate summit. So far Moscow has officially only responded coolly, saying Turkey has yet to apologize for shooting down the jet on the Syrian border.

Turkey's foreign ministry on Saturday warned that non-urgent travel to Russia should be avoided in the latest escalation of a row between Moscow and Ankara following the downing of a Russian plane by Turkey.

Citing problems faced by Turks in Russia in the wake of the plane incident which sparked anti-Turkish demonstrations in Moscow, the ministry said non-urgent visits to Russia should be avoided "until the situation becomes clear."