UPDATE: Having just landed in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, Trump had another chance to respond to Pence's successful meeting with Erdogan. He called today a "great day" for the U.S., for Turkey, and for civilization.
He admitted he was "surprised" they got the deal done so fast.
ORIGINAL POST
From Ankara, Turkey, Vice President Mike Pence was "proud to report," thanks to the "strong leadership" of President Trump and the U.S.'s relationship with Turkey, today the U.S. and Turkey have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria.
Moments ago: @VP announces the U.S. and Turkey have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria. pic.twitter.com/qZSkrbOzX2
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 17, 2019
This deal could NEVER have been made 3 days ago. There needed to be some “tough” love in order to get it done. Great for everybody. Proud of all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
President Trump emphasized the announcement on Twitter.
Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with @VP and @SecPompeo. Thank you to @RTErdogan. Millions of lives will be saved!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
Their agreement mandates 120 hours of a ceasefire of military operations while the U.S. facilitates the withdrawal of YPG from the Safe Zone. Once completed, then Turkey agreed to a permanent ceasefire.
Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Turkey this week to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to try and strike a deal. Had Erdogan not agreed to a ceasefire, Trump warned that he would enact devastating sanctions on Turkey. That will no longer be necessary and Trump intends to remove the economic sanctions he had enacted last Monday once there is a permanent ceasefire.
Pence added that the Turkey and the U.S. will cooperate to defeat ISIS activities in northern Syria. They also agreed on the priority of "respecting vulnerable human life."
The vice president was confident the two nations can now bring "peace and security" to the region.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member