US President teased the possibility of attending peace talks on Thursday between Ukraine and Russia in person.

Referencing the upcoming talks in Turkey during Monday’s White House Press Conference, Donald Trump said he “was thinking about actually flying over there” to Turkey but said he “[doesn’t] know where [he’s] going to be on Thursday”: “I insisted that meeting take place. I think you’ll have a good result on the Thursday meeting in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier I urged Ukraine to immediately agree to the talks. I believe the 2 leaders will be there. I was thinking about flying over. I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday. I’ve got so many meetings. I was thinking about actually flying over there”.

Ukrainian President said on Sunday that he would attend in person. Russian leader has yet to respond whether he will show up. Following Trump’s comments, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that “all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us”: “I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. I will be in Türkiye. I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting. Of course, all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Türkiye. This is the right idea”.

Trump is scheduled to visit the Middle East this week in his 1st major international trip of his 2nd term as president, with scheduled stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.