Trump condemns Russian envoy’s killing by ‘radical Islamic terrorist’

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday condemned the assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, calling the gunman a “radical Islamic terrorist.”

“Today we offer our condolences to the family and loved ones of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, who was assassinated by a radical Islamic terrorist,” read a rare formal statement from Trump, who usually takes to Twitter to issue reactions.

“The murder of an ambassador is a violation of all rules of civilized order and must be universally condemned.”

Both Russia and Turkey have branded the brazen attack by a Turkish policeman at an art exhibition as an “act of terror.”

The clean-shaven man smartly dressed in a suit, tie and white shirt — identified as Mevlut Mert Altintas, a 22-year-old who had served with the anti-riot police — pulled out a gun and fire at Karlov from behind as the envoy opened a Russian photography show in Ankara.

The shooting, during which Altintas shouted “Aleppo” and “Allahu akbar” (God is great), occurred on the eve of a key meeting in Moscow between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers on the Syrian conflict.

Protesters in Turkey have held Moscow responsible for human rights violations in Aleppo, with thousands protesting outside the Russian consulate in Istanbul.

Turkey and Russia stand on opposite sides of the Syria conflict with Ankara backing rebels trying to topple Moscow’s ally President Bashar al-Assad.

But the rhetoric has warmed considerably since a reconciliation deal was signed earlier this year and a Russian and Turkish-brokered accord has helped the evacuation of citizens from Aleppo in the last days.