The World condemns Turkey’s war on Kurds but Erdogan doesn’t accept a truce. While Turkey may be facing international pressure, Erdogan rejects all calls for ceasefire in Syria. Mike Pence visits Ankara with US Secretary Mike Pompeo to discuss with Turkey and warn Erdogan about the threat of hard sanctions. US officials have threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Turkey if Ankara refuses to halt its offensive.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Sky News that he will not meet with Vice President Mike Pence.
Turkey’s president @RTErdogan tells @AlexCrawfordSky he will not speak with the US Vice President about a ceasefire in Syria during his visit – adding that he will only talk to President @realDonaldTrump.
Follow the latest world news here: https://t.co/l50mLoSc4w pic.twitter.com/o5NjsNzt2r
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 16, 2019
Turkish offensive in Syria would create an unbearable humanitarian situation and EU-Turkey migrant deal is under pressure!
The White House in a statement said: “Vice President Pence will reiterate President Trump’s commitment to maintain punishing economic sanctions on Turkey until a resolution is reached.” Also French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel call for end to Turkish offensive.
“About 500,000 human beings were killed in Syria while Barack Obama was president & leading for a “political settlement” to that civil war. Media has been more outraged in the last 72 hours over our Syria policy than they were at any point during 7 years of slaughter.” BuckSexton
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
Erdogan and Trump will have a meeting in D.C. on November 13. Erdogan told reporters that he is still weighing the US visit. He feels the “arguments, debates, conversations being held in Congress regarding my person, my family and my minister friends are a very big disrespect,” Erdogan declared. Turkey says it aims to defeat the YPG and create a “safe zone” where millions of Syrian war refugees could be resettled.
We have a common desire that this offensive ends
Macron said while visiting Merkel
Russia – Syria – USA
Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Turkish operation had allowed captured Islamic State fighters to escape. He added that Moscow would support security cooperation between Turkish and Syrian forces. Lavrov mentioned that Russia recognizes Turkey’s right to secure its borders, but it will push for agreements between Syria and Kurds!
