World Bulletin / News Desk

Tuesday's dailies dedicated their front pages to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's response to the Russian claim that Turkey had been buying oil from ISIL.

“I will step down” was Milliyet’s headline over a story reporting Erdogan’s pledge to resign if the claim was proved.

“As soon as such a claim is proved, the nobility of our nation requires [me] to do this. I will not remain in this post. But I am asking Mr. Putin, would you remain?” the newspaper quoted Erdogan as saying.

The claim was made in the wake of the shooting down of a Russian military jet over southern Turkey on Nov. 24.

Haber Turk covered the story with the headline “Erdogan challenges Putin” while the Star titled its coverage “Erdogan challenges Putin over oil”.

According to the newspaper, Erdogan described Russia’s claim as “not moral”.

The Turkish dailies also covered Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.

“Nobody should expect us to apologize” ran the headline on the Sabah’s front page - a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s insistence that Turkey apologize for bringing down the jet.

Davutoglu said the protection of Turkey’s borders was the duty of the government, according to the newspaper, which also reported NATO’s backing for Turkey.

Bugun’s headline read “Turkey is not responsible” and cited the prime minister as saying Turkey is ready to hold talks with Russia to defuse tension between the two.

In sports news, Fenerbahce’s victory over Trabzonspor on Monday dominated.

“New leader is Fenerbahce” Milliyet said, noting the win had elevated the team to the top of the domestic football league. “Leader” was Hurriyet’s simple headline.