Bolton’s visit to Ankara: Yellow vests, PKK and more The National Security Advisor arrived in Turkey on Monday and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin. Bolton reportedly did not have a meeting with Erdogan.

Bolton’s visit to Ankara: Yellow vests, PKK and more The National Security Advisor arrived in Turkey on Monday and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin. Bolton reportedly did not have a meeting with Erdogan.

US President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton visited Turkey with a high ranking delegation and met with Turkish officials.

John Bolton was accompanied by Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford and Special Envoy James Jeffrey in his visit to Ankara.

Bolton’s visit to Turkey included meetings and negotiations regarding the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.

The National Security Advisor arrived in Turkey on Monday and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin. Bolton reportedly did not have a meeting with Erdogan.

RAPID WITHDRAWAL DECISION HALTED

Donald Trump had made a sudden announcement in December that the US would withdraw the 2.000 troops in Syria. Upon protests, additional conditions were put in place for the withdrawal.

Donald Trump has increased his messages regarding the withdrawal recently. On January 7, Trump wrote on Twitter that they “will be leaving at a proper pace while at the same time continuing to fight ISIS and doing all else that is prudent and necessary”. The Washington administration also claims that they want to “ensure the protection of their allies in the region”.

NEW CONDITIONS FROM BOLTON

John Bolton issued a statement during his visit to Jerusalem on Sunday and posed the condition that their allies be protected for the withdrawal. Bolton said, “Turks shouldn’t enter a military engagement without US approval or full coordination.” The National Security Advisor added that there won’t be a withdrawal until Turkey guarantees the YPG’s security.

RESIGNATIONS AFTER THE DECISION

Trump’s decision on December 19 had caused a stir among the alliances. France and the UK in particular had protested that the US was imposing a de facto situation, and serious tensions rose in domestic US politics. Following the decision, four high ranking officials including Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and US Special Representative for the International Coalition Against ISIS Brett McGurk had handed in their resignations.

MEETING BETWEEN MACRON AND TRUMP

Before Bolton’s visit to Turkey, French President Emmanuel Macron and Trump had a phone call about Syria on Monday.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement and said, “The two presidents spoke about the situation in Syria including the commitment to end ISIS and the withdrawal of US troops in a strong, well thought out and coordinated plan.”

ERDOGAN HAS COMPLETED HIS PREPARATIONS FOR INVASION

Turkish President Erdogan issued a statement today and protested Bolton, saying: “We have almost completed our preparations for the operation. We will take action very soon to neutralize the terrorist organizations on Syrian territory.”

HOLDING PKK RESPONSIBLE FOR YELLOW VESTS

On a roll, Erdogan said the PKK is responsible for the Yellow Vests protests in France. Erdogan said: “The PKK is among the Yellow Vests in France, we know this. They must see the truth. Tomorrow the same thing is going to happen in other countries.”

LE MONDE: TURKISH PROJECT PREVENTED

According to French newspaper Le Monde, the US statements amount to “Turkey shooting themselves on the foot”. The newspaper mentioned the Turkish state threats of invasion and said Bolton’s statements prevented Turkey’s project for Syria (i.e. the invasion).

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