Akcakale, Turkey — Turkey's president says he won't halt its military offensive in northeast Syria, despite growing pressure and sanctions from NATO allies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments came as Washington, which has announced limited sanctions on Turkey, said U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Ankara Wednesday to try and reach a cease-fire deal.
Speaking to a group of journalists, Erdogan said he told President Donald Trump: "We could never declare a ceasefire," adding that Turkey wouldn't negotiate with "terrorists."
Erdogan said he was "not concerned" by sanctions imposed on Turkey.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, centre, is surrounded by journalists and pro-government academicians in his plane en route back from Baku, Azerbaijan. Picture: Presidential Press Service via AP
In this photo taken from the Turkish side of the border between Turkey and Syria, in Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Turkey, smoke billows from targets in Ras al-Ayn, Syria, caused by bombardment by Turkish forces. Picture: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
Turkey launched its offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters it considers terrorists after Trump announced he was withdrawing US troops.
Turkish tanks and troops stationed near the Syrian town of Manbij, Syria. Russia moved to fill the void left by the United States in northern Syria on Tuesday, deploying troops to keep apart advancing Syrian government and Turkish forces. Picture: Ugur Can/DHA via AP
Russia has signaled its role as de facto power broker in the conflict, deploying forces near the border following America's pullout.