Russia's top diplomat agrees to meet with Turk counterpart

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Russia's foreign minister says he won't refuse a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Serbia's capital this week to hear what Turkey's explanations on the downing of a Russian air force jet.

Sergey Lavrov says he will meet with Mevlut Cavusoglu in Belgrade on the sidelines of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe meeting "to hear what he has to say."

Lavrov says he spoke to Cavusoglu by telephone the day after the Russian aircraft was shot down, but heard only "just some excuses."

Speaking after talks with his Cypriot counterpart on Wednesday, Lavrov said his country's aim is to ensure that it doesn't allow the "overflow" of terrorist threats in Turkey from making their way into Russia.

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