On Saturday, in Vietnam, President Trump echoed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that he did not interfere with the 2016 presidential election.

As part of the president’s 12-day trip around Asia, he told reporters aboard Air Force One:

“He said he didn’t meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times.”

Trump added that the Russian president is “very insulted” by the accusations stating that he interfered in last year’s race.

While the U.S. commander-in-chief did not disclose whether or not he believed Putin, the possibility that he may believe the Russian leader over his own nation’s intelligence agencies is likely to re-ignite the flame over the issue, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. president stressed that the issue lingers over the two president’s relationship and thus far, it has affected their ability to work together on matters. Trump described it as an “artificial Democrat barrier that gets in the way.”

“I can’t stand there and argue with him,” Trump said, according to CNN, “I would rather have him get out of Syria.”

For those who missed it, Trump and Putin spoke at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam.

As for Putin, the Russian leader dismissed the rumors that he interfered with the U.S. election, calling it “nonsense.” Further, Putin said he has called for a formal meeting with President Trump. “Our relationships are still in crisis. Russia is ready to turn the page and move on,” Putin told reporters at the summit.

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