Donald Trump insists he has never met Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite previous statements to the contrary, and says Russia will not invade Ukraine on his watch — even though he also said he would consider recognizing Putin's existing seizure of Crimea.
"I'm gonna take a look at it," Trump told ABC's This Week. "But you know, the people of Crimea, from what I've heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were. And you have to look at that, also."
Trump said that after claiming that Putin is "not going into Ukraine, okay, just so you understand."
Reminded of the 2014 Russian takeover of Crimea and eastern parts of the country, Trump replied that Putin is "there in a certain way. But I'm not there. You have Obama there."
Trump also repeated he has never met Putin, even though he has said in previous years that he has a "relationship" with the Russian presiden
"Well, I don't know what it means by having a relationship," Trump said. "I mean, he was saying very good things about me. But I don't have a relationship with him. I didn't meet him. I haven't spent time with him."
Trump said he has spoken kindly of Putin "because he has said nice things about me over the years," and added that Russia could help the United States in fighting Islamic State terrorism.
Trump also said he had nothing to do with the softening of Republican criticism of Russian activity in Ukraine in the GOP platform approved earlier this month.
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