Bolton, Turkish envoy meet at White House

WASHINGTON

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton met Monday with Turkish ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kilic at the White House.

The meeting focused on American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey for terrorism charges, and bilateral relations, according to a statement by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders,

"They discussed Turkey’s continued detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson and the state of the U.S.-Turkey relationship," said the statement.

Last week, a Turkish delegation held talks with officials from the State and Treasury departments. Brunson and relations were also among the topics discussed.

Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers for not releasing Brunson.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.