The relationship between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Donald Trump has long been good, despite the fact that the interests of the countries have often conflicted with each other.

- The president and I have been good friends since the start. We understand each other's countries. I understand their problems, Trump said ahead of today's meeting.

The relationship more strained

But over the past year, the relationship has become increasingly strained.

The NATO member Turkey's decision to buy the Russian air defense robot system S-400 this summer caused a crack in the joints between Turkey and other countries in the defense alliance, including the United States. And the Turkish offensive against northeastern Syria, controlled for years by the US-backed SDF alliance, led to juicy, but short-term, US sanctions.

Last week, Erdogan threatened to cancel the visit, according to the Reuters news agency - in protest of the US House of Representatives voting to recognize the mass murder in the Ottoman Empire over a hundred years ago as genocide.

Called cease-fire "complicated"

However, during a joint press conference after the talks, the two leaders highlighted the good relations between the countries. Trump spoke warmly about Turkey's contribution to NATO and a future increase in trade between the countries. He also said he was "grateful for Turkey's constant fight against terrorism".

Erdogan also seemed pleased with the conversations, which he called "sincere." He described the offensive in Syria as "handing out a blow to the PKK's separatist agenda". He also said that Turkey has more than 200 IS terrorists imprisoned.

Trump did not go deeper into the situation in Syria, but called the current cease-fire "complicated":

- I know that the ceasefire, while complicated, is moving forward.

He also said that "Turkey will continue to maintain what they intend to maintain".