President Trump said he was considering flying to Turkey to take part in the potential peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mr. Trump said he would join the face-to-face ceasefire negotiations “if I thought it would be helpful.”
“I don’t know where I’m going to be at that particular point. I’ll be someplace in the Middle East, but I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful,” he said Monday at the White House.
The war has raged in Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.
Russia rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal from Ukraine over the weekend and instead pushed for direct talks. A meeting has been scheduled for Istanbul on Thursday.
Mr. Zelenskyy said he will “be waiting” in Turkey for Mr. Putin.
“I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Mr. Zelenskyy said Sunday on social media.
Mr. Trump urged the Ukrainian president to agree to the meeting.
“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!” he wrote on social media. “I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War II, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”
