Obama, Hollande Urge Against Escalation After Turkey Downs Russian Plane

U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday urged Russia and Turkey to avoid escalation over Turkey's downing of a Russian plane along the Turkish-Syrian border.

The leaders said details about the incident still are emerging.

"My top priority is going to be to ensure that this does not escalate," Obama said alongside Hollande at a White House news conference. "Hopefully this is a moment in which all parties can step back and make a determination of how their interests are best served."

Hollande said, "We must prevent an escalation. That would be extremely damaging."

Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border earlier on Tuesday, saying the jet had repeatedly violated its air space. The incident sparked harsh condemnation from Russia, which pledged severe consequences.

U.S. officials have said the plane was downed near Turkey's border and that Russia's entry lasted seconds.

"It's very important right now for us to make sure that both the Russians and the Turks are talking to each other to find out exactly what happened and take measures to discourage any kind of escalation," Obama said.

"Turkey, like every country, has the right to defend its territory and its airspace," he said.