Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday the Turkish authorities cannot cope with the influx of illegal gangs, as the country is in the direct contact with them, Sputnik news agency reported.

Currently, for these reasons, as well as due to the deteriorated relations between the two countries, it is difficult for the Russian citizens to travel to Turkey, Putin added at the All-Russia People's Front forum.

"The Turkish authorities, unfortunately, can't cope with the influx of various criminal gangs coming from the nearby countries, because they are in contact with them," Putin said.

Russian-Turkish relations deteriorated following the downing of the Russian Su-24 aircraft by a Turkish F-16 fighter on November 24, 2015. In response to this "stab in the back," as it was described by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow imposed a number of restrictive measures on Turkey.

Russia's retaliatory measures against Ankara include, in particular, a restriction of the activities of Turkish organizations in Russia, prohibition of hiring Turkish citizens by Russian employers and a ban on certain food imports and most poultry products.

Source : MENA