President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine “if he wants to.” Erdogan was sitting next to Trump when he said it.

“Everybody respects Erdogan. They really respect Erdogan. I do. And I think he could have a big influence if he wants to,” Trump responded when a reporter asked if Erdogan could help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

“Right now, he’s very neutral. He likes being neutral. So do I, like being neutral,” Trump continued. “But he’s somebody that, if he got involved, the best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia. If he did that, that would be probably the best thing.”

“He knows Putin like I know Putin,” Trump said

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