President Donald Trump will impose sanctions on Turkey for detaining an American pastor for nearly two years, he announced Thursday on twitter.

The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2018

Trump’s tweet comes after the official Thursday announcement by Vice President Mike Penceat a conference on religious freedom warning Turkey that the president would impose sanctions should they continue to detain American Pastor Andrew Brunson.

“To President Erdogan and the Turkish government,” Pence started, “I have a message on behalf of the president of the United States of America: Release Pastor Andrew Brunson now, or be prepared to face the consequences”

“If Turkey does not take immediate action to free this innocent man of faith and sending home to America, the United States will impose significant sanctions on Turkey until pastor Andrew Brunson is free,” he declared.

Brunson was detained in alleged connection with an attempted coup against Erdogan in 2016. The U.S. government maintains that Brunson is being unfairly treated and used as leverage and should be immediately released.