Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that US President Barack Obama went behind his back in order to criticize the lack of press freedom in Turkey, and says that Obama is trying to "divide" Turkey.
Reuters reports that the two leaders spoke during the nuclear summit in Washington, after which Obama told reporters that he is concerned over measures Turkey has taken against journalists.
"I was saddened to hear that statement made behind my back. During my talk with Obama, those issues did not come up," Erdogan said. "You cannot consider insults and threats press freedom or criticism."