Story highlights Donald Trump emphasized his hopes for a warmer relationship with Russia

The news conference capped a turbulently productive seven days in office for Trump

Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump used his first White House news conference Friday to say he is open to a warmer relationship with Russia and believes torture works as an interrogation technique, in a performance less confrontational than other recent media appearances.

Standing alongside British Prime Minister Theresa May in the White House East Room, Trump wouldn't say whether he was planning to lift sanctions on Moscow ahead of a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. Nor would he outwardly affirm his support for NATO.

Compared to his pre-inauguration news conference in New York, Trump answered questions on his foreign policy prescriptions with uncharacteristic caution. During each answer, Trump stopped himself after only a few minutes, moved little beyond what he's said previously, and displayed none of the brashness that became his hallmark on the campaign trail.

Asked about the return of waterboarding for suspected terrorists, Trump declared the torture technique works. But he said he would allow his Defense Secretary James Mattis to "override" him on torture, an issue where the two men fundamentally disagree.

"I happen to feel that it does work," Trump said. "I've been open about that for a long period of time. But I am going with our leaders. And we're going to win with or without, but I do disagree."

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