Turkish President Cancels Meeting with US National Security Advisor Bolton

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has canceled a meeting with the US National Security Advisor, John Bolton.

This was reported by the Turkish media outlet ‘Haberler,’ as conveyed by the Armenian news agency ‘Armenpress.’

According to Turkey's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, the cancellation was prompted by comments made by Bolton prior to his visit to Israel. Bolton stated, “The US will not withdraw its forces from Syria until the Turkish authorities guarantee that they will not attack the Syrian Kurds and that their safety will be ensured.”

A high-ranking US delegation visited Turkey on January 8, which included National Security Advisor John Bolton, Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford, and US Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey.

The discussions between the US and Turkey were expected to cover the withdrawal of US troops from Syria, the extradition of Fethullah Gülen, the leader of the Gülen movement who is currently residing in the US, as well as issues related to the Syrian Kurds.

In response to Bolton's statement, the Turkish side asserted that such remarks were unfounded and that all of Turkey's actions are aimed at ensuring the safety of the Syrian Kurds.

Bolton returned to the US without meeting Erdoğan.