Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Meeting with Turkish President Erdogan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement after meeting with President Trump, Turkish President Erdogan, and Republican Senators at the White House earlier this afternoon:

"I have always described Turkey as an ally - a deeply problematic ally, but an ally nonetheless, in a very troubled region of the world. I went to the White House today to tell President Erdogan exactly that. While our alliance with Turkey is important to maintaining U.S. national security interests, Turkey's assault against our Kurdish allies, who have a long history of standing with America against our enemies, is absolutely unacceptable. I also made clear to President Erdogan that so long as Turkey continues to procure or deploy the S-400 air defense system from Russia, the U.S. will not sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

"I will continue to work alongside my colleagues in the Senate, as well as the Administration, to advance constructive policies that aim to protect our Kurdish allies, and preserve regional security."

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