(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Trump made this statement aboard the plane returning him to the United States after his visit to the Middle East, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Erdogan can," he said in response to a question about whether other leaders, particularly the Turkish president, can help settle the war between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Trump, Russia respects the Turkish leader.

"He is respected by Putin. And he's a friend of mine," he said.

Read also: Erdogan says Turkey is developing roadmaps to achieve peace in Ukraine and will not stop on this path

Trump stressed that he only gets along with tough leaders, not weak ones, adding that Erdogan has also been great with him.

"You know, when NATO has a problem with Erdogan – which they often do – they call me to talk to them. And I've never failed in working it out," Trump said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said he planned to meet with Trump in Washington on Friday. According to the Ukrainian leader, he intends to propose a series of steps to help achieve peace and discuss their sequence.

Photo: Facebook / The White House

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