Trump: I may go to Istanbul if you need

US President Donald Trump says he is willing to travel to Istanbul if needed to attend possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey.

Trump, who had traveled to Qatar, had earlier said that if the President Vladimir Putin was present in the Moscow and Kiev talks, he might join the negotiations.

However, there was news of Trump's absence in the negotiations following the release of the Russian delegation's list of negotiations in Istanbul.

The Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Madinsky, the Kremlin adviser. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galzine, Igor Casticov, head of the Central Office of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and Russian Defense Minister Alexander Fumin are other members of the delegation.

Putin on May 9 offered to Kiev's officials to resume indirect negotiations that were abandoned in the spring of the half -time. Ukrainian President Walodimir Zelksky also announced the country's plans to travel to Türkiye. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had encouraged Ukraine to immediately accept Putin's offer.

A White House official on May 9 said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's Special Envoy in West Asia and US Special Envoy in Ukrainian affairs, will travel to Istanbul.

The Russian -Ukraine talks are due to be held in Istanbul today (Thursday). The talks are due to begin at 10 am local time behind closed doors.