Yesterday's murder of ambassador Andrey Karlov at an art gallery sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles around the world.

JOHANNESBURG/ANKARA – Russian and Turkish leaders say they won’t allow the assassination of the Kremlin’s ambassador to Ankara affect their friendship.

Monday's murder of ambassador Andrey Karlov at an art gallery sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles around the world.

He was shot dead by a gunman who shouted 'do not forget Aleppo' while delivering a speech.

Turkey and Russia are calling it a provocative terror attack but have vowed not to let the assassination cast a shadow over relations.

Independent Zimbabwean journalist Umari Stambula is in Turkey and says there’s been apprehension about what happens next.

“Everyone was in shock, and people started to ask what’s going on. Are we going for the World War III and what it will mean if Russia is going to attack Turkey. What will be Russia’s response to the residents?”

Russian and Turkish foreign ministers have underlined the need to put more effort into effectively fighting terrorism, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday after a phone call between the two ministers overnight.

Sergei Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusgolu also underlined the need to exclude the possibility of provocations aimed at undermining bilateral relations, as well their cooperation in fighting militants in Syria and Iraq.

Cavusgolu will visit Moscow later on Tuesday to meet his Russian and Iranian counterparts to discuss the crisis in Syria.

US STATE DEPARTMENT

Cavusoglu was due to meet his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Russia on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Syria. Officials said the meeting would still go on, despite the attack.

“The attack comes at a bad time: Moscow and Ankara have only recently restored diplomatic ties after Turkey downed a Russian aircraft in November 2015,” the Stratfor think-tank said.

“Though the attack will strain relations between the two countries, it is not likely to rupture them altogether.”

However, both Russia and Turkey indicated that they were looking to work together to find the combat militant attacks.

The US State Department, involved in diplomatic contacts with Russia in an attempt to resolve a refugee crisis unfolding around the city of Aleppo, condemned the attack, as did the United Nations Security Council.

Tensions have escalated in recent weeks as Russian-backed Syrian forces have fought for control of the eastern part of Aleppo, triggering a stream of refugees.

(Edited by Leeto M Khoza)