Trump: No Deal Made for the Release of Pastor Brunson

U.S. President Donald Trump thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday for the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, while emphasizing that no deal was made for his freedom. In a tweet, Trump announced that Brunson, who has been released in Turkey, would meet with him at the White House later that afternoon, describing the meeting as 'extraordinary.' He referred to Brunson as a great Christian who has gone through a tough experience and expressed gratitude to Erdogan for his release. Brunson, who had lived in Turkey for 20 years, was accused of collaborating with the Fethullah Gülen network in the failed coup attempt two years ago and had been under house arrest. However, a Turkish court ruled on Friday that, despite a three-year conviction, Brunson could leave the country considering the time he had already spent in detention. Trump reiterated in another tweet that no deal was made regarding Brunson's release and that he 'never makes deals on hostages.' He also stated that the significant appreciation shown on behalf of the United States could lead to good and possibly excellent relations between Turkey and the U.S. Previously, NBC News reported that Turkey and the U.S. had reached a secret agreement in which Washington would ease economic pressures on Ankara in exchange for Brunson's release. Reports indicate that Brunson left his residence in Izmir, Turkey, on a U.S. military plane on Saturday morning and was headed to the U.S. after a brief stop in Germany. Brunson stated in a statement after his release that 'today is a day my family has been praying for; I am happy to be heading to my homeland, the United States.' He also thanked 'the millions who prayed around the world.' Brunson's detention had exacerbated tensions between the U.S. and Turkey, leading Washington to increase tariffs on Turkish imports in addition to sanctions.