Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mocked Donald Trump today – saying he can no longer ‘keep track’ of his counterpart’s tweets on Syria.
‘When we take a look at Mr Trump’s Twitter posts, we can no longer follow them,’ Erdogan told reporters as he returned from a summit where he vowed to continue with his assault in defiance of US sanctions and calls for a ceasefire.
America has been scrambling to regain the initiative after Trump unexpectedly agreed to withdraw US troops from Syria during a phone call with Erdogan, and handed over control of regional security to Turkey.
Intense fighting continued Wednesday around the border towns of Tel Abaid and Ras al-Ayn, while Russian and Syrian government troops – which took control of Manbij on Tuesday – moved up to the outskirts of Kobane, another key crossing point.
Vice President Mike Pence has been sent to Turkey alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to try and straighten out relations between the two NATO allies, and were due to arrive Thursday.
Trump’s own thinking on Syria has been anything but clear, as he penned often contradictory tweets praising his decision to withdraw, then boasting about bipartisan support for sanctions against Turkey for moving in.
He has also welcomed the arrival of Russian and Syrian government forces to protect the Kurds, despite describing them as ‘our enemy’.
And, in an abrupt reversal of relations, he has amplified Turkish claims that Kurdish militias are terrorists who have been deliberately releasing ISIS members from prison – despite being allied with the Kurds as recently as a week ago.
In one typically contradictory tweet, Trump announced: ‘Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!’
Turkey’s foreign minister said today that the country will retaliate against US sanctions with measures of its own, but did not specify what these would be.
Mevlut Cavusoglu told parliament that the current US position towards Turkey is at a ‘critical juncture’ and urged Congress to turn back from its ‘damaging approach’.
He added that he will convey the message to an American delegation including Mike Pence, when he arrives on Thursday.
In his interview with the Turkish journalists, Erdogan also shared an anecdote from his telephone call with Trump this week.
‘I told Trump: “You get very angry with the media from time to time. You are now under their influence. Don’t listen to them, you are a strong leader. This does not befit a strong leader”,’ he said.
So far Russia has proved the only effective peacekeeper, after negotiating a defence pact between the Kurds – America’s former allies – and the Syrian government.
Vladimir Putin has also ordered Russian troops to stand between Turkish and Syrian forces around the city of Manbij, halting an anticipated attack on the city.
Even as Erdogan vowed to keep Pence and Pompeo waiting for a meeting with him, the Kremlin announced a summit between the Turkish leader and Vladimir Putin, scheduled to take place in the coming days.
Trump wrote Erdogan an extraordinary letter warning him not to be “a tough guy” or “a fool” as his forces launched their attack on northern Syria.
“Dear Mr. President,” the Oct. 9 letter began, “Let’s work out a good deal! You don’t want to be responsible for slaughtering thousands of people, and I don’t want to be responsible for destroying the Turkish economy — and I will.”
Trump then referred to economic sanctions his administration used on the country to push for the release of an American pastor who’d been locked up in Turkey, calling it “a little sample” of what could be in store.
“I have worked hard to solve some of your problems. Don’t let the world down. You can make a great deal,” Trump wrote, asserting that the commander of the Kurdish forces is “willing to negotiate with you.”
“History will look upon you favorably if you get this done the right and humane way,” Trump wrote to Erdogan. “It will look upon you forever as the devil if good things don’t happen. Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!”
Trump appears to be proud of the missive — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the president handed out copies of it during a heated meeting with Congressional leaders on Wednesday.
Republican-turned-independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan tweeted a copy of the letter, and said, “This is insane.”