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Turkey: Unacceptable for US to Use Threatening Language Against It

The Turkish National Security Council said Monday that the US moves to link defense deal to certain conditions in violation of the international agreements would irreparably hurt strategic ties with Turkey.
Sputnik

The United States' threatening language against Turkey is unacceptable and disrespectful, the statement reads further.

The day before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the US would lose a strong and sincere partner if it does not change its attitude toward Turkey, announcing that Pastor Brunson will not be a part of a prisoner swap deal with US.

READ MORE: US State Secretary Pompeo, Turkish FM Cavusoglu Discuss Pastor Brunson Case

US Playing 'Hardball' With Turkey as ‘Pressure’ on Trump Mounts Over Pastor
The statement came after US President Donald Trump said that if Ankara did not free Brunson, Turkey would face sanctions.

Turkish authorities put US pastor Andrew Brunson in jail in 2016 over the accusations of ties to the movement of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, referred to as Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) by Ankara and accused of having orchestrated a failed military coup that took place in Turkey in the same year. The pastor was recently released from a Turkish prison and placed under house arrest.

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