Ukraine talks

Meanwhile, there are unknowns about Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey, senior Trump administration official says

From CNN’s Kylie Atwood

Top Trump administration officials plan to be in Turkey this week for expected Ukraine-Russia talks on Thursday, but President Donald Trump’s possible attendance remains an open question that will largely be dictated by whether Russian President Vladimir Putin attends, according to a senior administration official.

“It is all very dynamic right now,” the official said, adding that “no one knows much” when it comes to what Thursday will end up looking like.

Trump said yesterday he was considering joining the talks in Turkey if it would be helpful.

“I think you may have a good result out of the Thursday meeting in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump during an event about drug prices at the White House.

“I was thinking about actually flying over there,” he added. “There’s a possibility of it, I guess.”

The possibility of Trump joining “put a lot of pressure on Putin,” the official said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already said he will fly to Turkey for the talks, which were initially proposed by Putin and then pushed by Trump.

Whether Trump attends or not, US envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff both plan to be in Istanbul for the talks, the official said. Another source familiar with the plans also confirmed Witkoff’s attendance. As of now, they plan to observe the proposed, Turkish-facilitated talks between the Ukrainians and Russians.