Trump may travel to Turkey for negotiations between Zelensky and Putin

US President Donald Trump said there is a possibility he will travel to Turkey for possible talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I don't know where I'll be on Thursday, I have so many meetings," Trump told reporters before departing for a three-nation Middle Eastern visit.

"But I was really thinking about flying there. It's possible, I think, if I see something could happen," Trump said.

Zelensky welcomed Trump's possible involvement, calling for a comprehensive ceasefire and expressing support for face-to-face negotiations with Putin in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15.

While it was Putin who proposed the time and place for direct talks between the parties, it was not clear whether he intended to participate himself.

But Zelensky responded to this proposal on Sunday and challenged Putin to show up.

In comments about the war on Monday, May 12, the Kremlin did not say whether Putin would meet with Zelensky.

A spokesman continued to reject calls by Kiev and its allies for a 30-day ceasefire.

"Of course, we in Ukraine would like President Trump to be present at this meeting in Turkey," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

He confirmed that he would travel personally to Istanbul for a meeting, which he hoped would be hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We can change a lot," he said.

Ukraine has been resisting a Russian invasion for more than three years with the support of the West.

Washington has recently intensified efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire between the two sides./ REL