Turkey accuses Macron of being a ‘sponsor of terrorism’

Turkey on Thursday accused French President Emmanuel Macron of being a “sponsor of terrorism” after France hosted an official from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Mevlut Cavusogula, the Turkish foreign minister, said Macron was “wobbling” as he tried to be the leader of Europe, according to the BBC.

Macron hosted SDF spokeswoman Jihane Ahmed in October, angering Turkey, which considers the YPG terrorists.

“He is already the sponsor of the terrorist organization and constantly hosts them at the Elysee,” Cavusogula told reporters. “If he says his ally is the terrorist organization… there is really nothing more to say.”

The foreign minister’s comments come a week before France and Turkey are scheduled to attend the NATO summit, where the ongoing violence in Syria is sure to be a leading topic.

Macron, meanwhile, confirmed Thursday he stood by his previous comments that NATO was “brain dead.” 

The relationship between France and Turkey has gotten more tense after Ankara bought a Russian air missile system this year. The French president also criticized Turkey for its offensive into Syria against Kurdish forces that had helped the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.