World condemns assassination of Russian envoy to Turkey

Leaders from around the world Monday condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov.

The Russian ambassador was shot multiple times at an art exhibition in Ankara late Monday.

"I condemn the killing of Russia's amb to Turkey. My condolences to his family amp; Russian people. No justification for such a heinous act," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted.

In Washington, the State Department, Pentagon and White House all condemned the attack, "whatever its source", and offered U.S. assistance in the investigation.

"This heinous attack on a member of the diplomatic corps is unacceptable, and we stand united with Russia and Turkey in our determination to confront terrorism in all of its forms," the White House said in a statement.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban-ki-moon said he was is "appalled by this senseless act of terror and emphasizes that there can be no justification for the targeting of diplomatic personnel and civilians".

The American Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and Ambassador to Ankara John Bass also condemned the attack.

In Britain, Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and envoy to Ankara, Richard Moore, took to Twitter to denounce the killing and said their “thoughts are with his family".

Germany's Ankara Embassy tweeted: "We strongly condemn the assassination of Russia's Ambassador to Turkey in Ankara. Our thoughts are with his family friends."

Qatar, the Turkish Republic of Northern Republic (TRNC) and Iran also condemned the murder.

"We unconditionally and resolutely condemn this bloody terrorist attack," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a condolence message to Russia's President Vladimir Putin – a message that echoed a statement by that country's Foreign Ministry.

"We believe the terror attack perpetrated against Karlov would more strengthen Russia's and Turkey's determination on counter-terrorism, cooperation and partnership efforts," it added.

Kazakhistan's Foreign Ministry offered condolences to Karlov's family and Russia.

"This terror act directed against a representative of a sovereign country was designed to disrupt and frighten the bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia," it said.

"The Embassy of Israel in Turkey is shocked and saddened by the horrible assassination of a colleague, ambassador Andrey Karlov," Israel's embassy in Ankara said as it conveyed its condolences to Karlov's family and the Russian people.

Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci denounced the murder via Twitter as Foreign Minister Enver Hodja expressed condolences on behalf of the Kosovo people.

Albania's Foreign Minister offered prayers for Karlov's family.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic sent a telegram to Russian officials.

"Serbia is horrified by this criminal act and also feeling the pain and sorrow of rusian people. This incident shows us once more that we need to confront the terrorism mercifully and unscrupulosly. Also serbia will in every moment give a support to power of peace forces)," Viucic said.

"We sympathize in the pain of the family of the assassinated Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Russia," Dacic said in a separate telegram to his Russia counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.