President Obama defended Turkey's right to defend its borders by shooting down a Russian fighter jet the flew over its airspace, but he said the two countries must work to make sure the incident doesn't escalate.
Obama was speaking at a joint White House news conference with French President Hollande hours after Turkey shot down a Russian SU-25 jet it claimed violated its airspace despite 10 warnings.
Russia would be welcomed into the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition if President Putin would focus on attacking ISIS in Syria and Iraq and not just "propping up" embattled Syria President Assad.
Tuesday's shoot-down is a result of Russian jets operating close to the Turkish border to attack the "moderate opposition that is supported by Turkey and a wide range of countries."
"Potential conflicts are less likely" if they just go after ISIS, Obama said.
Russia cannot take part in the coalition as long as it attacks the Assad opposition since they "might be future members of an inclusive Syrian government."
President Obama said in light of ISIS attacks on Russis "there is a potential convergence of interests between the various parties."
