Putin doesn't have the high ground any more than he does in Ukraine, the shooting down of a civilian airliner, or seizing Crimea. Putin had his ambassador in Ankara called in twice in successive days prior to the shoot down warning against repeated violations of Turkish airspace.
NATO denounces Russian incursion into Turkish airspace
Putin is playing to his domestic audience with his "masterful" response. He is talking and acting tough because it is politically expedient to do so. This will blow over.
There is no way in HELL that France, Germany or any other NATO ally, particularly bath house Barry is going into a hot war with Russia over Turkey. No Way In HELL!
There is No Way In HELL! a hot war is going to result. Neither side wants it. Not going to happen.
Turkey has lots more to lose in this than Russia including a hasty forced exit from NATO.They can also kiss goodbye any chance of ever getting into the EU, A desire they have had for decades.
Turkey will remain in NATO. There was no way Turkey was ever going to get into the EU. Anyone who knows anything about their application knows that the EU will never admit Muslim Turkey into the EU. The latest wave of Muslim migrants into Europe killed any infinitesimal chance of Turkey joining the EU.
Turkey will make a formal and public apology and they will eat crow and pay compensation to Russia and the downed pilots family.
Turkey is in the process of returning the dead pilot's body to the Russians. Erdogen has already issued an apology, i.e. he wished it never happened. He will not apologize for defending his airspace. He also has a domestic audience.
Putin, though a scum and thug, is a real man. Obama is Putin’s bitch and they both know it.
You sound like a teenage girl or you have a man-crush on Putin. You can focus on personalities, but national interests are involved. Is Erdogen a "real man"? Here is something that should get your juices going:
