National security adviser Robert O'Brien Robert O'BrienCIA letting less intelligence on Russia reach Trump: report Lincoln Project places anti-Trump ads in military newspapers Top Senate Democrat asks for documents related to Trump's ties to Erdoğan MORE flew to Turkey on Wednesday to meet with Turkish officials in hopes of convincing the country to call off its military offensive against the Kurds in Syria, Reuters reports.

O'Brien's trip highlights the urgency of the situation with the Trump adviser arriving a day before Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE who are set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday.

O'Brien will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

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The administration is scrambling to contain the fallout after President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE decided to remove the remaining U.S. troops from Syria's northeastern border region, leading to Turkey's military operation against Kurds who fought with the U.S. against ISIS.

Lawmakers from both parties have blasted Trump's decision and the fallout for the Kurds.

Turkey views the Kurdish forces, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as a terrorist group. Erdoğan is pushing to drive the SDF from the northern region of Syria to create a 20 mile "safe zone."

Congress is working on a deal for sanctions to punish Ankara for the offensive and on Tuesday, Trump unveiled his own economic sanctions on Turkey.

On Tuesday, U.S. prosecutors charged Turkish majority state-owned Halkbank for taking part in a multibillion-dollar scheme to evade Iran sanctions.

According to Reuters, Erdoğan told reporters Tuesday, “They say ‘declare a cease-fire.’ We will never declare a cease-fire."

“They are pressuring us to stop the operation," Erdoğan added. "They are announcing sanctions. Our goal is clear. We are not worried about any sanctions."