Erdogan blasts Trump for aid cuts threat over Jerusalem decision

ANKARA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday blasted U.S. President Donald Trump who threatened to cut aid to countries that vote against Washington at the UN General Assembly on Jerusalem.

"Mr. Trump, you cannot buy Turkey's democratic will with your dollars," Erdogan said at an awards ceremony in Ankara.

"I am calling on the whole world: Do not sell your struggle for democracy for a few dollars," he added.

"I hope that the U.S. will not get the result it expects today and the world will give the U.S. a very good lesson," he said, referring to the UN meeting set to be held on Thursday.

Ahead of the UN voting, Trump threatened to cut aid to countries that would vote against his Jerusalem decision.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said she would be "taking names" of those voting against Washington at the meeting.

Since the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital early in the month, Turkish leaders have been harshly criticizing the controversial move.

Last week, Turkey hosted a summit of Muslim leaders, which issued a communique to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. Enditem