The U.S. Government has condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, in Ankara.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a statement, described the incident as “despicable”.
“The United States condemns the assassination today in Ankara of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, the Russian people, and with the other victims who were injured in this shooting.”
The U.S. offered to assist Russia and Turkey to unravel the mystery behind the attack.
“We stand ready to offer assistance to Russia and Turkey as they investigate this despicable attack.
“This attack was also an assault on the right of all diplomats to safely and securely advance and represent their nations around the world.” Kerry said
It would be recalled that a Turkish policeman shot dead Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, apparently in protest at Russia’s involvement in Aleppo.
The killer was identified as Mevlut Mert Aydintas, 22, a member of the Ankara riot police. It was not clear if he had links to any group.
The incident happened on Monday a day after protests in Turkey over Russian support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was aimed at hurting ties with Russia.
Erdogan spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone and, in a video message, said that they both agreed it was an act of “provocation”.
He said that those who wanted to harm relations between the two countries “would not achieve it”.
