TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US President Donald Trump said Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) assured him that Beijing would not invade Taiwan while he was in office, Reuters reported Saturday.

Trump made the comments in a Fox News interview on Friday, drawing a comparison to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The remarks came before he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan,” Trump said. “But I don't believe there is any way it's going to happen as long as I am here. We will see.”

The US president said he welcomed the assurance but noted Xi also emphasized patience. “He said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient.’” 

Reuters said the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Trump and Xi held their first confirmed call of Trump’s second presidential term in June. Trump also said in April that Xi had called him earlier in the year though he did not specify when.