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U.S. President Donald Trump said at the NATO summit that Türkiye is "very strong," praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said Ankara is seeking F-35 fighter jets from the U.S.
Trump said Türkiye could have entered the war but did not do so because of his role. He also said Ankara has U.S. military equipment and described Türkiye as a major military power.
"I like Erdogan," Trump said. "You rolled out the red carpet, he's terrific."
Trump said Erdogan could have entered the war and suggested he would have taken the opposite side.
"He could have gone into the war," Trump said. "He didn't go because of me."
Trump said Türkiye is a military power with millions of soldiers.
"This is a military power, millions of soldiers. Türkiye is very strong," he said. "They have a lot of our best equipment. They're trying to get the F-35, but he didn't go in."
Trump added that Erdogan would have entered the war if he had not intervened.
"He would go in if it weren't for me. He would have gone in, and he would have been on the other side," Trump said.
Trump said he likes both Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to him as "Bibi."
"I like Bibi. Terrific wartime prime minister," Trump said.
Trump said Netanyahu had made remarks about Türkiye and that he spoke to him afterward.
Trump also said Erdogan does not like Israel or Netanyahu much, but did not enter the war.
"I said he could have gone into the war because he doesn't like Israel much, and he doesn't like Bibi much," Trump said.
Trump said the NATO summit meetings had gone well, including discussions with Türkiye.
"We've had some very good meetings, in particular with Türkiye," Trump said. "And now, we're meeting with everybody today. It's been very successful. It's been a fantastic meeting."
Trump also praised NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, despite saying he remained upset with the alliance.
"I want to say, despite the fact that I'm very upset with NATO, this is a great leader," Trump said. "They're lucky they have him."
Trump also criticized unnamed negotiators, saying he did not want to spend time with them.
"I think they're wasting their time," Trump said. "They're a bunch of lying guys."
Trump said he would allow U.S. negotiators to continue talks if they wanted, but added that he did not see progress.
"I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it," Trump said.
Trump also said he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the war and said China did not enter it.
"I was with President Xi, and I said, I hope you're not going to go into the war, we don't want that," Trump said.
He said China receives more than half of its oil from the Strait of Hormuz and praised Xi for not joining the conflict.
"He was great, big fan of President Xi," Trump said.
Trump said he had a successful day at the summit and expected the next half day of meetings to go well.
"We have had a really good day," Trump said. "We have another good half a day, and then I'll see you later."
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