UK Prime Minister David Cameron urged Tuesday his Turkish counterpart to ensure that Ankara maintains direct communications with Moscow to avoid an escalation in tensions after Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian warplane, the Daily Mail reported.

Ahmet Davutoglu phoned Cameron and explained that Turkey had taken protective action after the Russian jet was warned "several times" not to violate Turkish air space, said Downing Street.

Nato said it "stands in solidarity" with Turkey and called for "calm and de-escalation" after holding an emergency session in response to the incident.

Cameron's official spokeswoman told a Westminster media briefing that "The Prime Minister strongly encouraged Prime Minister Davutoglu to make sure there was direct communication between the Turks and Russians on this, so a clearer understanding could be formed of what had happened and how to avoid this happening in the future and to avoid an escalation."

Moscow at first claimed the Su-24 jet was shot down by rebels opposed to Syrian president Bashar Assad, but later confirmed it was targeted by a Turkish F-16.

Davutoglu insisted his country has the right to take "all kinds of measures" against violations of its air space, and called on the international community to work towards "extinguishing the fire that is burning in Syria".

Sources: MENA