International security

Russia and Turkey accuse each other of buying oil from the Islamic State

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, traded accusations on the sidelines of the Paris climate summit. Putin said Turkey's behavior was aimed at protecting its interests. Some Erdogan critics, now including Putin, allege that these involve ties to the Islamic State militant group.

...The accusation was angrily rejected by Erdogan, who said he would resign if the claim could be proved.

"I will not remain in this post," he said. Then he went on the offensive: "But I am asking Mr. Putin, would you remain?" Here's how the pro-government Daily Sabah described what Erdogan said next:

He stated that a Russian-Syrian citizen has been buying oil from [the Islamic State] and then selling it to Assad regime, which he said was also confirmed by U.S. sources. "First they [Russia] should give an account of this," he added.