CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked him about Russian fighter jets buzzing U.S. ships the latest in a series of military provocations by Russia.

“Lack of respect,” Trump said quickly.

“Lack of respect?” Blitzer asked. “If you were president, what would you tell Putin?”

“I would call him and say, ‘Don’t do it again,’” he said. “I would say, ‘Don’t do it again,’ and I think I’ll have a good relationship with him. So far, we’re off to a good start. He said Trump is a genius, OK? I think I’ll have a good relation—”

“Have you ever met with Putin? Have you ever spoken with him?” Blitzer asked.

“Uh, I don’t want to say,” Trump said. “But I think I’ll have a good relationship with him. Now, I may not. I’ll know pretty quickly, but I would call him and say, ‘Don’t ever do it again. Don’t ever do that again.’