The US rejected Russian allegations that Turkish President, Recep Erdogan and other Turkish leaders are directly involved in the illegal oil trade with the Islamic State militant group.

“That is preposterous, we flatly reject any notion that the Turks are somehow working with Islamic State”, US military spokesman, Col. Steven Warren said.

Warren noted the black-market oil trade into Turkey had been going on for years and that efforts were being taken to address it.

Russia and Turkey have been locked in an angry dispute since Turkey shot down a Russian jet in November.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had accused Ankara of downing the plane on its Syrian border to protect oil supply lines.

Here is what the Russians said earlier today: The main consumer of oil stolen from legitimate owners in Syria and Iraq is Turkey