Turkey, which last week called for an extradition of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen (blamed by the Erdogan government for the failed 2016 military coup) in exchange for the release of US Pastor Mr. Andrew Brunson (whom US President Mr. Donald Trump wants to see released) has softened its demand somewhat, now linking the fate of a Turkish bank on which the US has imposed sanctions (Halkbank, a majority state-owned bank) to the release of Mr. Brunson.
The White House administration however flatly refused and said there would be ‘no concession’ to Turkey for Mr. Brunson’s release.
Related coverage: <a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/34203-Pastor-Andrew-Brunson-Turks-Smash-iPhones-Pour-Coca-Cola-In-Toilets-Video">Turks smash iPhones, pour Coca-cola in toilets (Video)</a>.
Unlike the previous US government who made deals with Middle Eastern nations (Iran) in order to get a result, Mr. Trump has stated he would not back down in his standoff with Turkey.
Mr. Trump, in an interview with Reuters over the Turkish standoff, claimed: "I think it's very sad what Turkey is doing."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Trump to <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Reuters</a>: I thought I had a deal with Erdogan when I helped persuade Israel to free Ebru Ozkan, a detained Turkish citizen, in return of the release pastor Andrew Brunson: "I think they're making a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions" <a href="https://t.co/SWnS4x1jeW">pic.twitter.com/SWnS4x1jeW</a></p>— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmichaiStein1/status/1031652339273359360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I think they're making a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions."
There were press rumors in the past few months that Mr. Trump and Mr. Erdogan met in Brussels for a NATO summit in mid-July and discussed the possible release of Mr. Brunson at that point already.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"He wants continued tensions with Turkey, especially tensions that are great for headlines." Economist Taha Arvas says the release of pastor Andrew Brunson is a 'political tool' for Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections <a href="https://t.co/kXFaBnC2gq">pic.twitter.com/kXFaBnC2gq</a></p>— TRT World (@trtworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/trtworld/status/1031794277762977793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At that moment, Turkey sought US help to persuade the Israelis to release a Turkish woman who was being held in Israel. In exchange, Turkey would release Brunson and other Americans being held in Turkey. The story goes that the US kept their end of the bargain and called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. .
Related coverage: <a href="http://thegoldwater.com/news/34542-Germany-Ruling-Leftwing-Party-Wants-To-Aid-Turkey-In-US-Standoff-Over-Pastor-Brunson">Germany ruling party wants to aid Turkey in US standoff</a>.
During the interview with Reuters, Mr. Trump confirmed the story: “I got that person out for him. I expect him to let this very innocent and wonderful man and great father and great Christian out of Turkey.”
The White House administration imposed tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminum in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's refusal to free Mr. Brunson. The Turkish lira has fallen to new lows since, creating an economic crisis in the region.
US President Trump added: “I like Turkey. I like the people of Turkey very much. Until now I had a very good relationship as you know with the president. I got along with him great. I had a very good relationship. But it can’t be a one-way street. It’s no longer a one-way street for the United States.”
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