Trump Says He Will Not Give Concessions to Turkey for the Release of American Pastor

The President of the United States stated in an interview with Reuters that he will not give any concessions to Ankara for the eventual release of the detained American pastor. Donald Trump said on Monday, August 19, that when he helped secure the release of a Turkish citizen in Israel, he thought he had reached an agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who would also help free Pastor Andrew Brunson. Trump stated, "I think what Turkey is doing is a very upsetting thing. I think it's a terrible mistake. No concessions will be granted." Pastor Brunson, who is from North Carolina, has lived in Turkey for two decades. Following the failed coup in July 2016, he was arrested on charges of "espionage" and "terrorism," linked to the network of Fethullah Gülen, an Erdoğan opponent residing in the U.S., as well as Kurdish rebel groups. The American pastor has denied these charges. Washington has described Brunson's trial as unfair and has sanctioned Turkish Justice and Interior Ministers for their role in his detention. The United States has also doubled import tariffs on steel and aluminum from Turkey. In response, Ankara has reciprocated with import tariffs on certain American goods, including alcoholic beverages, cars, and cigarettes. Trump told Reuters that he helped secure the release of Ebru Özkan, a Turkish citizen from an Israeli prison: "I got that person out. I expected this wonderful and innocent person, a great Christian and a very good father (Andrew Brunson), to be allowed to leave Turkey." Israeli media reported earlier in August that a "senior official" confirmed that the U.S. President asked the Israeli Prime Minister to release a Turkish woman imprisoned in Israel so that Turkey would also release the American pastor. Ms. Özkan was transferred from detention to a military court in Israel on July 15, one day after Trump's phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu, and was returned to her country on July 16. Ebru Özkan, 27, was arrested at Tel Aviv airport on the day she was to return to Turkey, facing charges of attempting to "launder money for Hamas." Ankara has rejected the idea of a one-for-one release agreement. Trump told Reuters, "I love Turkey. I love the people of Turkey very much. As you know, I have had very good relations with the (Turkish) President." He added, "But this cannot be a one-way street. The United States no longer has a one-way street (with others)." Ankara has not yet responded to the latest statements from the U.S. President.