Trump floats detour to Istanbul for Ukraine-Russia talks

Monday morning, President Donald Trump told a crowd of reporters at the White House that, in the midst of his Gulf States excursion this week, he is considering "flying over to Istanbul" on Thursday to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. 

"I believe the two leaders are going to 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. But I was thinking about actually flying over there," Trump said. "There's a possibility of it, I guess if I think things can happen. But we've got to get it done. We've got to save five thousand lives a week."

It remains unclear if Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend in person. Putin proposed direct negotiations after leaders from Germany, France, Poland, and the U.K. demanded a 30-day cease-fire and threatened further sanctions on Moscow.

Trump posted on Truth Social that Ukraine should abandon its call for the ceasefire and begin negotiations to end the war. 

Reiterating his desire to see an end to the killing, he added "They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to 'finish it off.' Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!"