David Jackson

USA TODAY

Russia won't invade Ukraine on his presidential watch, Donald Trump said Sunday, adding that he would consider recognizing Russian President Vladimir Putin's 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."

Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, a move that triggered economic sanctions from the United States and European nations. The peninsula had been part of Russia until 1954, when the Soviet Union moved it to Ukraine, a Soviet republic at the time.

Trump's comments about Crimea followed his claim that Putin and Russia are "not going into Ukraine, okay, just so you understand."

However, that is exactly what happened in 2014 with the seizure of Crimea and some eastern parts of Ukraine. Reminded of that, Trump replied that Putin is "there in a certain way. But I'm not there. You have Obama there."

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's campaign mocked Trump's responses, especially his claim that there would not be any Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"What is he talking about? Russia is already in Ukraine," said Clinton senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan. "Does he not know that? What else doesn’t he know?"

He added: "This is scary stuff."

Trump also repeated he has never met Putin, even though he has said in previous years that he has a "relationship" with the Russian president.

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"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.

Russia is playing an increasingly prominent role in the election between Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

U.S. intelligence officials believe that Russia interests played a role in hacking Democratic Party computer systems, perhaps in an effort to aid Trump's election bid.

Trump has also raised questions about NATO, saying U.S. partners should pay more for the military alliance designed in part to deter Russian aggression.

Vice President Biden and other Democrats have said that Putin wants to defeat Clinton in November using Trump.

In his ABC interview, Trump dismissed those Democratic claims.

"They only fear one thing, losing the election," Trump said. "If our country got along with Russia, that would be a great thing."

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