Relations between Ankara and Moscow have been in an unabated tailspin since Nov. 24, when Turkey downed a Russian jet. The plane was on a mission against Turkish-supported forces fighting in northern Syria against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Russia is making it amply clear it does not intend to de-escalate the crisis until Turkey accepts its conditions, starting with a formal apology for the death of a Russian pilot killed by Turkmen militants while still in his parachute harness. This act in particular infuriated Russian citizens, who are clamoring for Turkey to be punished.